James McArdle, Bel Powley Lead London Revival of The Real Thing, Opening September 3 | Playbill

London News James McArdle, Bel Powley Lead London Revival of The Real Thing, Opening September 3

The Old Vic is staging the Tony-winning Tom Stoppard play with Max Webster at the helm.

James McArdle

London's Old Vic presents a new revival of Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing, officially opening September 3 after beginning previews August 22. Performances will continue through October 26. Max Webster (Life of Pi) is directing.

James McArdle (Mare of Easttown, Angels in America) and Bel Powley (The Morning Show) are starring as Henry and Annie, respectively, sharing the stage with Oliver Johnstone as Max, Susan Wokoma as Charlotte, Jack Ambrose as Brodie, Rilwan Abiola Owokoniran as Billy, and Karise Yansen as Debbie. Understudies Daniel Baskharoun, Peter Eastland, Oyin Orija, and Mahaila Palmer round out the company. Casting is by Jessica Ronane.

Exploring the sometimes fleeting nature of reality, The Real Thing centers on a married playwright and actor at work together on a play. The work premiered in London in 1982, winning an Evening Standard Award for Best Play; and won the Best Play Tony Award for its 1984 Broadway outing. The play has become one of Stoppard's most popular, with revivals on Broadway in 2000 and 2014, and many stagings in London as well.

"The Real Thing has always been one of my favorite plays, and it’s a great honor to be directing it at one of my favorite theatres, The Old Vic, with this extraordinary cast," said Webster in an earlier statement.

The production, presented in association with Simon Friend Entertainment, features set and costume design by Peter McKintosh, lighting design by Richard Howell, sound design by Alexandra Faye Braithwaite, and movement by Chi-San Howard. Rebecca James is company stage manager, with Surenee Somchit as deputy stage manager and Bella Kelaidi as assistant stage manager.

Tickets are available at OldVicTheatre.com.

 
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