Samantha Spiro joins the cast of The Most Precious of Goods world premiere following cast illness

WhatsOnStage Award winner Samantha Spiro has joined the cast of the upcoming stage adaptation of The Most Precious of Goods.

Spiro replaces previously announced lead actor Allan Corduner (The Motive and the Cue, Tár), who is currently recovering from pneumonia. Her most notable stage credits include Hello, Dolly! and Merrily We Roll Along, while recent screen credits include One Life and Sex Education.

The Most Precious of Goods is penned by Jean-Claude Grumberg based on his best-selling novella, originally in French and now translated into 20 languages. Set against the backdrop of war-torn Eastern Europe in the winter of 1943, the story unfolds in a forest where a poor woodcutter’s wife discovers a small bundle thrown into the snow from a moving goods train.

The stage adaptation is directed and translated by Nicolas Kent and is set to premiere at the Marylebone Theatre on 22 January, in commemoration of National Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January, and run until 3 February.

Cellist Gemma Rosefield will perform a live score during the piece, while the creative team includes Carly Brownbridge for design, Judy Goldhill for projected photography, and Matt Eagland for lighting.

The Most Precious of Goods receives generous support from the Kobler Trust and the John S Cohen Foundation. A preview of the play was previously showcased at Jewish Book Week in 2023.

Finally, a number of guest speakers have been announced for a series of post-show Q&As, hosted by Honorary fellow of the Historical Association, Martin Spafford.

Taking place after weekday student matinees, guest speakers include playwright Martin Sherman (Bent), author Gillian Walnes Perry (The Legacy of Anne Frank), author Francesca Simon (Horrid Henry) and Rabbi, Baroness Julia Neuberger. Maureen Lipman (Rose) and Robert Rinder (Judge Rinder) are scheduled to participate in the Holocaust Day post-performance discussion panel on Saturday, 27 January at 4:40pm.

Tickets are on sale below.