Jamie Lloyd, whose own company the Jamie Lloyd Company is based at the theatre and has previously produced a revival of Pinter's The Hothouse under its banner, is to direct a cast that comprises Keith Allen (Sam), Gemma Chan (Ruth), Ron Cook (Max), Gary Kemp (Teddy), John Macmillan (Joey) and John Simm (Lenny).



The play is described in press materials as "a crackling hotbed of visceral tension." In the play, Teddy returns from America to introduce his wife Ruth to his family in London. They discover a claustrophobic and brutal household where his father Max, brothers Lenny and Joey and Uncle Sam live in a state of mutual loathing and festering resentment. Theirs is a motherless, compassionless and lawless home where Ruth immediately becomes the centre of attention and has to navigate her way between the roles of predator and prey in an incisive battle of wills.

In a press statement, Lloyd commented, "This is a significant anniversary for this iconic, game-changing play and I couldn't be more excited to be creating it with this dynamic cast of powerful actors. This production is the first project from our company's new and ambitious slate of work that I can't wait to announce over the coming months. I am thrilled to be introducing Pinter's masterpiece to a new and diverse audience at Trafalgar and, determined as ever to make our productions as accessible as possible, I am looking forward to the return of our popular £15 Mondays."

The production will be designed by Soutra Gilmour, with lighting design by Richard Howell and sound by George Dennis.

Other Pinter plays that Lloyd has directed include The Caretaker (Sheffield Crucible and London's Tricycle), The Lover and The Collection (in a double bill at the West End's Harold Pinter Theatre). He is currently represented in the West End by his production of The Commitments (Palace). On Broadway, he has directed Cyrano de Bergerac (for the Roundabout Theatre Company at the American Airlines Theatre).  Allen is best known for his screen credits including "Trainspotting," "Shallow Grave" and three series of "Robin Hood" for the BBC. His stage credits include Smack Family Robinson (Rose, Kingston and New York), Treasure Island (West End's Theatre Royal Haymarket) and Pinter's The Celebration and The Room (Almeida and New York).

Chan recently played the lead role of Anita in the Channel 4 drama "Humans." Theatre credits include Yellow Face (NT Shed), Our Ajax (Southwark Playhouse) and The Sugar-Coated Bullets of the Bourgeoisie (Finborough).

Cook returns to Trafalgar having appeared in The Ruling Class for The Jamie Lloyd Company. Other theatre credits include Henry V (Noel Coward), Trelawney of the Wells, Richard II, King Lear, Hamlet, Twelfth Night (all Donmar) and The Seafarer (National).

Kemp is best known as a founding member of the British pop band Spandau Ballet. As an actor, he has appeared in films that include "The Krays," "The Bodyguard" and "Still Crazy." Stage credits include Art at the West End's Wyndham's, Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be (Theatre Royal Stratford East) and The Rubenstein Kiss (Hampstead).

Macmillan was previously nominated for the Ian Charleson Award for appearing as Rosencrantz opposite Jude Law in Hamlet (Donmar, West End and Broadway). Other theatre appearances include plays at the Young Vic and the Almeida. She has also appeared in three series of "Silk" (BBC), "New Tricks" (BBC), "Critical" (Hat Trick) and "Hoff the Record" (Dave).


Simm previously appeared at the Trafalgar Studios in Lloyd's production of Pinter's The Hothouse. He is best known for his TV roles in shows that include "Dr. Who," "Life on Mars," "State of Play" and "The Lakes" (all BBC TV). Other theatre credits include Three Days in the Country (National Theatre), Speaking in Tongues (Duke of York's), the title role in Hamlet and Betrayal (both Sheffield Crucible) and Elling (Bush and West End).

To book tickets, contact the box office on 0844 871 7632 or visit thejamielloydcompany.com for more details.