Theatre News

Casting Announced for Salisbury Playhouse's 1984 Charing Cross Road

Full casting has been announced for the play which stars Janie Dee and Clive Francis.

84 Charing Cross Road publicity material
84 Charing Cross Road publicity material
© Salisbury Playhouse

Full casting has now been announced for Salisbury Playhouse’s revival of the award winning play 84 Charing Cross Road'' with Lysette Anthony, Alice Haig, Edward Merwood, Samuel Townsend and Jemma Churchill joining the previously announced Janie Dee and Clive Francis in the production which plays from February 5th to February 28th.

Olivier Award winner Janie Dee has starred in numerous West End plays and musicals, television series, films and radio plays. This autumn she played Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream for a tour of Russia and Asia with Shakespeare’s Globe and earlier in 2014 she appeared alongside Dame Angela Lansbury in the West End revival of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit.

Clive Francis is currently appearing in the BBC’s hit drama The Missing. His film and television credits include A Clockwork Orange, Yes Prime Minister and Mr Turner. On stage, he has recently appeared in Enron and The Madness of George III

Lysette Anthony has appeared in a host of television series including Auf Wiedersehen Pet, Night & Day, Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Jonathan Creek and The Bill. She is also well known for her three years in the BBC sitcom Three Up, Two Down and in Woody Allen’s Husbands and Wives.

The original production of 84 Charing Cross Road opened at Salisbury Playhouse before transferring to the West End and Broadway. It is based on the friendship struck up in 1949 between American Helene Hanff and London bookseller Frank Doel, who sent each other books, letters and quips across the ocean for 20 years.

The production is helmed by original director James Roose-Evans, who has said;

It is especially exciting to be opening this new production in the very theatre where it began its life. It has since played in many parts of the world but it is wonderful to be bringing it back to Salisbury where it all began

84 Charing Cross Road is designed by Norman Coates, with lighting by Peter Hunter, who also lit the 1981 production and sound by John Leonard.

For tickets contact the Salisbury Playhouse box office on 01722 320333 or visit www.salisburyplayhouse.com.