The play, previously seen in London at the National Theatre in 1989 in a production that featured Rebecca Pidgeon, who would later become Mamet's wife, and in a separate West End production at the New Ambassadors Theatre, revolves around a pair of film producers Bobby Gould (Schiff) and Charlie Fox (Lindsay). When a hugely bankable star agrees to appear in a sure-fire commercial hit, they are convinced this is the break of a lifetime. That is until temporary secretary Karen (Lohan) derails the dream. When she persuades Bobby to dump the blockbuster in favour of a story which can only be described as box-office poison, Charlie is forced to resort to desperate measures.
Schiff, who is best known for playing Communications Director Toby Ziegler on NBC’s "The West Wing," for which he won an Emmy and two SAG Awards, has previously appeared in the West End in Underneath the Lintel at the Duchess Theatre in 2007. He was last seen onstage in Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross on Broadway in 2012 and in Miklós László’s Perfumerie at the Wallis Annenberg Centre in Los Angeles in 2013. He has also had recurring roles in the TV series "Murder in the First," "Manhatten," "House of Lies" and "Once Upon a Time." His films include "Superman," "Man of Steel," "Before I Disappeared," "Made in Dagenham" and "The Infidel."
Lindsay was last seen on the London stage in the National Theatre’s production of A Small Family Business. Previous West End roles include the title role in Shrek the Musical (for which he was Olivier-nominated), and he has also appeared at the National in the original production of Dealer’s Choice and Guys and Dolls. For the RSC, he has appeared as Bolingbroke opposite David Tennant in Richard II. He has appeared on Broadway in the transfer of the Donmar Warehouse production of The Real Thing in 2000.
Lohan, who is making her stage debut, is best known for her starring role in "Mean Girls" and her appearances in "Prairie Home Companion" and "Georgia Rule." The production is directed by Lindsay Posner, who has directed more Mamet plays in the West End than any other director, including A Life in the Theatre, Sexual Perversity in Chicago and Oleanna.
It is produced by Danny Moar and Simon Friend for Theatre Royal Bath Productions.
To book tickets, contact the box office on 0844 871 7631 or visit www.atgtickets.com/speed-the-plow.
