Penelope Wilton, who returns to the West End for the first time in five years since she was seen as Gertrude opposite Jude Law's Hamlet, reprises her role as Irmgard, the mother of celebrated lawyer Hans Litten, who puts Hitler on the witness stand in 1930s Germany with devastating consequences.

Her relationship with her son Hans and her courageous efforts to help him are at the heart of Hayhurt's debut play. According to press materials, Hayhurst  "casts light on a universal theme as the mother of brilliant German Jewish lawyer Hans Litten fights for his release against the seemingly impossible might of the Nazi regime. Fearless and indomitable, she confronts his captors at enormous personal risk. The unquestionable love of a mother for her son is put centre stage in Hayhurst’s study of the horrors of pre-war Nazi Germany."

The production is directed by Chichester's artistic director Jonathan Church and also features Martin Hutson as Hans Litten, Allan Corduner, Pip Donaghy, Mike Graduy, John Light and David Yelland with Marc Antolin, Christopher Hogben and Dermot McLaughlin as SA Officers.

It is designed by Robert Jones, with lighting by Tim Mitchell and sound by Mike Walker. The composer is Matthew Scott.

The West End run is produced by Mark Goucher Ltd. (who also originally commissioned the play) CFT Enterprises, TRH Productions, Laurence Myers, Bronowski Productions, Lee Dean and Charles Diamond. To book tickets, contact the box office on 020 7930 8800, or visit www.trh.co.uk.