CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE REHEARSAL
EXTRA WEEK OF PERFORMANCES NOW ON SALE
Edward Bennett Niamh Cusack Jamie Glover Katherine Kingsley
THE REHEARSAL by Jean Anouilh
Translated by Jeremy Sams
Director Jeremy Sams
8 May – 13 June
Minerva Theatre, Chichester
A distinguished cast including Edward Bennett, Niamh Cusack, Jamie Glover and Katherine Kingsley has been announced for Chichester’s sumptuous revival of Jean Anouilh’s savagely witty dissection of love, deception and the secret roles people really want to play. Due to popular demand, an extra week of performances is now on sale.
The Count, better known as Tiger, is planning another of his spectacular parties, including an evening of amateur dramatics. But as soon as rehearsals begin, it’s clear that his play will unleash just as much passion, shock and intrigue off stage as it will on.
Edward Bennett plays Hero. His theatre credits include Love’s Labour’s Lost and Love’s Labour’s Won, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Hamlet (all for the RSC) and One Man, Two Guvnors (UK tour).
Niamh Cusack plays The Countess. Her theatre credits include The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time(National Theatre and West End), The Playboy of the Western World, and Cause Célèbre (for the Old Vic).
Jamie Glover plays The Count. His acting credits include Chichester’s Festival 2014 production of An Ideal Husband,and All’s Well That Ends Well and Edward III (both for the RSC).
Katherine Kingsley plays Hortensia. Her theatre credits include Chichester’s Singin’ in the Rain (also West End), and West End productions of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
The cast also includes Joseph Arkley (whose credits include Brilliant Adventures and Titus) as Villebosse, Gabrielle Dempsey (whose credits include Kindertransport and Spring Awakening) as Lucile, Simon Dutton (whose screen credits include Jupiter Ascending and Suite Française) as Damiens and Ben Lydon as Valet.
Beginning in 1966 with The Fighting Cock, Chichester has a tradition of bringing notable works by Jean Anouilh to the stage including Dear Antoine, Eurydice, Wild Orchids and The Waltz of the Toreadors.
Jeremy Sams directs this production of The Rehearsal, having also provided the celebrated translation. His numerous other translations include Mary Stuart (National Theatre) and The Threepenny Opera (Donmar Warehouse). Directing credits include Noises Off at the National Theatre and The Water Babies at Chichester. Sams is also an acclaimed orchestrator, musical director, film composer, and lyricist.
Design is by William Dudley, whose numerous credits include Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Titus Andronicus (Shakespeare’s Globe), Fortune’s Fool (Old Vic), The Winter’s Tale (RSC) andUncle Vanya (The Print Room).
Lighting Design is by Chichester Associate Tim Mitchell, whose credits include Festival 2015’s Way Upstream, as well as the Olivier Award nominated Taken at Midnight (also West End), Guys and Dolls and Amadeus.
Sound Design is by Fergus O’Hare whose credits include Festival 2015’s Way Upstream, as well as An Ideal Husband,King Lear (and New York), and Another Country (and West End/UK tour).
The Rehearsal is sponsored by Conciair.
Events
Director and translator Jeremy Sams will be in conversation with novelist and CFT biographer Kate Mosse on Thursday 28 May at 6pm. Tickets free but advance booking essential.
There will be the chance to meet some of The Rehearsal company at a post-show discussion hosted by author Simon Brett on Monday 25 May.
Booking information
An extra week of performances is on sale for The Rehearsal at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester which now runs from 8 May – 13 June. Evenings 7.45pm (except for Press Night, Thursday 14 May 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 The Rehearsal will go on sale on 8 April. These may be booked on 01243 781312, online at cft.org.uk/850 or in person.