Doctor Faustus announces three-week extension and full casting

Doctor Faustus announces three-week extension and full casting

• The Jamie Lloyd Company’s production of Doctor Faustus will extend its run at the Duke of York’s Theatre by three weeks, until 25th June

• Jenna Russell to play the role of Mephistopheles

• Further casting: Jade Anouka, Tom Edden, Danielle Flett, Brian Gilligan, Forbes Masson, Craig Stein and Gabby Wong

• As previously announced, Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) plays the title role in Colin Teevan’s version of Christopher Marlowe’s masterpiece

• Press previews from 21st April 2016 with Gala Night 25th April 2016

Due to unprecedented demand, a 3 week extension is announced today for The Jamie Lloyd Company’s production of Doctor Faustus. Full casting has also been announced with Jenna Russell taking the role of Mephistopheles. Jade Anouka (Wagner), Tom Edden (Good Angel), Danielle Flett (Valdes), Brian Gilligan (Cornelius), Forbes Masson (Lucifer), Craig Stein (Evil Angel) and ensemble member Gabby Wong join Kit Harington.

This anarchic production of Doctor Faustus will run at the Duke of York’s Theatre, London, from 9th April 2016. Directed by Jamie Lloyd, Christopher Marlowe’s masterwork, with two acts written by Colin Teevan, is now booking until Saturday 25th June.

With Teevan’s darkly comic scenes replacing the extant middle acts (widely believed not to have been written by Marlowe), the story of this 400-year-old play will be transported to a celebrity-obsessed society of greed and instant gratification, offering a fresh perspective that chimes with our times.

Faustus makes a pact with the Devil, selling his soul in return for the ability to perform anything he pleases with the power of black magic. This fatal decision catapults him into an intoxicating world of celebrity, as he becomes a world-renowned conjuror, international heartthrob and friend of the rich, famous and powerful. But what is the cost of his insatiable thirst for wealth and fame?

The production will be designed by Soutra Gilmour, with lighting by Jon Clark, and music and sound by Ben and Max Ringham.  Movement direction is by Polly Bennett, with fights by Kate Waters.

As with The Jamie Lloyd Company’s previous productions, all tickets for Monday performances will be £15. Some of these will be made available through a special outreach scheme, targeted at schools and first-time theatregoers. The remainder will be released monthly to the public each month, and will be available online or at the Duke of York’s box office.

Jade Anouka makes her West End debut in Doctor Faustus having previously won The Stage Award for Acting Excellence for her performance in Chef (Edinburgh Fringe).  Jade has received Ian Charleson Award Commendations for Hamlet at Shakespeare’s Globe andJulius Caesar at the Donmar Warehouse and New York. Other theatre includes; Hotspur inHenry IV (Donmar Warehouse and St Ann’s Warehouse), So Here We Are (Manchester Royal Exchange), The Vote (Donmar Warehouse/Channel 4) and Moon on a Rainbow Shawl(National Theatre). On screen, Anouka’s credits include Doctor Who, Sky’s Lucky Man and Mike Leigh’s A Running Jump.

Tom Edden originated the role of Alfie in One Man Two Guvnors (National Theatre, West End, Broadway) for which he was awarded a Drama Desk Award and was nominated for awards at the Critic’s Circle and Tony Awards. Further theatre credits include Measure for Measure (Young Vic), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Apollo Theatre), Oliver! (Sheffield Crucible) and Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre). Film and television appearances include Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, Mr Turner, Cinderella and Upstart Crow.

Since graduating from Rose Bruford College, Danielle Flett has appeared on stage inHatched ‘n’ Dispatched (Park Theatre), Noises Off (Old Vic, UK Tour), Vera, Vera, Vera(Royal Court Theatre and Theatre Local Peckham).  Flett has been seen on screen inSilent Witness, Top Boy and Lewis.

Brian Gilligan recently starred as Deco in The Commitments (Palace Theatre).  Further credits include Fiddler on the Roof (Jim Molloy Productions), Songs for a New World(Mermaid Arts Centre), The Wizard of Oz (Helix DCU), The Pirates of Penzance (Festival Productions) and La Bohème (Lyric Opera).

Dr Faustus marks Forbes Masson’s fourth production with The Jamie Lloyd Company. Hehas an extensive stage career including roles in Mr Foote’s Other Leg (Theatre Royal Haymarket and Hampstead Theatre), The Ruling Class, Richard III and Macbeth (all Trafalgar Studios), As You Like It (RSC Residency in New York).  Recent on screen roles include Catastrophe, Shetland and Doctors.

Jenna Russell recently appeared in Grey Gardens at the Southwark Playhouse.  Her acclaimed theatre career includes multiple credits with the Almeida theatre including The Odyssey, The Iliad and Mr Burns as well as Di Viv and Rose (Vaudeville), Urinetown (St James and Apollo), Merrily We Roll Along (Menier Chocolate Factory and Harold Pinter) and Soho Cinders (Soho Theatre). TV appearances include Call the Midwife, The Paradise,Holby City and Minder. 

Craig Stein has appeared in Carousel, Nation and FELA! (all National Theatre), Wig Out(Royal Court), Wicked (original London cast), Ghost the Musical (Piccadilly Theatre) andRent (Duke of York’s).

Gabby Wong’s theatre credits include Volpone, Love’s Sacrifice, Jew of Malta (RSC),Compliance (NT Studio), Shangri-La (Finborough), Beat My Time Machine Skipped (Soho Theatre) and Takeaway (Theatre Royal Stratford East).