Sinéad Cusack to star in Esther Freud's debut play Stitchers

Sinéad Cusack is to star in Esther Freud's debut play Stitchers at the Jermyn Street Theatre.

Cusack will star as Lady Anne Tree in the piece, which is the third play of the Reaction season at the theatre. Stitchers is based on the true story of the criminal justice reformer who spent her life visiting prison and decided to try to teach the inmates needlecraft.

Freud's previous work includes the bestselling novel Hideous Kinky, which was turned into a film starring Kate Winslet, Lucky Break and The Sea House.

Joining Cusack is Martin Docherty, Victoria Elizabeth, Trevor Laird, Michael Nardone, Ewan Stewart and Frankie Wilson.

The piece is being directed by Gaby Dellal, who won a BAFTA for On a Clear Day.

Esther Freud, said: "I first became aware of Fine Cell Work twenty years ago when I took part in their first fundraising event, although the idea for the play came to me much later. I'd been wanting to write a play for some time, was waiting for a good idea, and then there it was, clear as day."