David Haig Rory Keenan Adam Rayner
SOMEONE WHO’LL WATCH OVER ME
by Frank McGuinness
Director Michael Attenborough
10 September – 10 October
Minerva Theatre, Chichester
Rory Keenan and Adam Rayner will join the previously confirmed David Haig in Chichester’s production of Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, Frank McGuinness’s award-winning drama about three men captured in a cell in Beirut, directed by Michael Attenborough.
Adam, an American doctor, Edward, an Irish journalist and Michael, an English academic, have little to unite them. Yet these three men forge bonds through shared adversity in McGuinness’s testimony to the resilience of the human spirit. The play is inspired by the experiences of those taken hostage in Lebanon in the 1980s, yet in the current political climate, its subject matter remains acutely relevant.
David Haig plays Michael. His Chichester credits include Festival 2014’s Pressure, which he wrote and starred in, as well as Yes, Prime Minister (also West End). Other acting credits include The Madness of George III (UK tour and West End), Yes, Prime Minister (Chichester and West End) and King Lear (Theatre Royal Bath). Screen credits include The Thick of It and Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Rory Keenan plays Edward. His credits include The Kitchen and Liolà (both for the National Theatre), Dublin Carol andPhiladelphia Here I Come! (both for Donmar Warehouse) and Out of Joint’s production of The Big Fellah (Lyric Hammersmith and UK tour). Screen credits include The Guard and Peaky Blinders.
Adam Rayner plays Adam. His credits include West End productions of This is Our Youth and The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Play Room (Finborough), and RSC productions of Romeo & Juliet, King John and Much Ado About Nothing (also West End). Screen credits include Miranda and Mistresses.
Frank McGuinness is a distinguished novelist, short story writer, poet and opera librettist, as well as playwright. His credits include The Factory Girls, Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards The Somme, There Came A Gypsy Riding and The Hanging Gardens.
Director Michael Attenborough makes his Chichester debut with this production. Recent credits include Luna Gale, currently running at the Hampstead Theatre. Whilst Artistic Director of the Almeida Theatre between 2002 – 2013, his award-winning productions included Measure for Measure and The Knot of the Heart. From 1996 – 2002 he was Principal Associate Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Design is by Robert Jones, whose Chichester credits include Festival 2015’s Mack & Mabel, as well as Taken At Midnight (also West End), Kiss Me, Kate (also Old Vic) and Calendar Girls (also UK tour, Australia and Canada). Other credits include the current production of The Motherf**ker with the Hat (National Theatre), City of Angels (Donmar Warehouse) and West End productions of A Chorus of Disapproval and Much Ado About Nothing.
Lighting Design is by Paule Constable, whose Chichester credits include Barnum (also UK tour). Other credits includeThis House, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, War Horse and His Dark Materials (all for the National Theatre),The Chalk Garden and Don Carlos.
Sound Design is by Fergus O’Hare whose Chichester credits include An Ideal Husband, Uncle Vanya and The Syndicate. Other theatre credits include Daytona (Park Theatre and tour), the West End production of Passion Play andThe Winslow Boy (Old Vic/Roundabout).
Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me is sponsored by Bishops Printers.
Events
At Crisis Talks, a panel of experts discuss the issues raised by Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me. This event takes place on Friday 9 October, 5.30pm, Minerva Theatre. Free, but booking essential.
Director Michael Attenborough joins novelist and CFT biographer Kate Mosse for a pre-show talk on Tuesday 15 September at 6pm. Free, but booking essential.
Meet some of the Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me company at a post-show talk hosted by writer Simon Brett on Monday 5 October.
Booking information
Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me is at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester from 10 September – 10 October. Evenings 7.45pm (except for Press Night, Wednesday 16 September at 7pm), matinees 2.45pm. Tickets: Previews/Press Nights £20, £25, all other performances £25, £34. To book, go to cft.org.uk or contact the Box Office on 01243 781312.
Special Prices for 16 – 25s
An allocation of tickets for 16 – 25 year olds priced at just £8.50 for all performances of Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me will go on sale on 10 August. These may be booked on 01243 781312, online at cft.org.uk/850 or in person.