YERIN HA, PHIA SABAN AND LYDIA WILSON
TO STAR IN JEAN GENET’S THE MAIDS
In a new translation written and directed by Kip Williams
at the Donmar Warehouse
With the world premiere of Mike Bartlett’s Juniper Blood currently in performance at the theatre, Artistic Director Tim Sheader and Executive Director Henny Finch today announce the full cast for Jean Genet’s The Maids – in a new translation written and directed by Kip Williams.
Williams directs Yerin Ha, Phia Saban and Lydia Wilson in the world premiere of this bold new translation. This production marks Williams’ Donmar debut following his critically acclaimed Olivier and Tony Award winning reimagining of The Picture of Dorian Gray and ahead of his adaptation of Dracula starring Cynthia Erivo playing all 23 roles opening at the Noël Coward Theatre next year.
THE MAIDS
Written by Jean Genet
In a new translation written and directed by Kip Williams
Set Designer: Rosanna Vize; Costume Designer: Marg Horwell; Lighting Designer: Jon Clark, Sound Designer: Dan Balfour, Composer: DJ Walde andVideo Designer: Zakk Hein.
13 October – 29 November 2025
“My spurt of saliva is my spray of diamonds”
With their mistress away, two maids act out their darkest fantasies as they obsessively role-play her murder, until performance and reality begin to blur.
This bold new translation of The Maids is a compelling, timely parable of modern identity and the destructive desire to both emulate and annihilate those we idolize.
Kip Williams follows his international hit production of The Picture of Dorian Gray with this wild reimagining of Jean Genet’s classic play.
French playwright, poet and novelist Jean Genet’s other plays include The Balcony, The Blacks, The Screens, Deathwatch and Splendid’s. His books include Our Lady of the Flowers, Miracle of the Rose, The Thief’s Journal, Querelle of Brest and Funeral Rites.
Kip Williams is a multi-award-winning director of theatre, opera and film. He is the former Artistic Director and Co-CEO of Sydney Theatre Company (STC), positions he held from 2016-2024. Williams’ most recent work is his adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray (Theatre Royal Haymarket, Music Box Theatre), with Sarah Snook. Williams’ adaptation of Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, a companion cinetheatre production to Dorian Gray, played the Adelaide Festival and Perth Festival in 2023. Next year, Williams will direct his adaptation of Dracula at the Noël Coward Theatre, with Cynthia Erivo playing all 23 roles.
He has directed over 20 productions for Sydney Theatre Company, including his multi-award winning production of Suddenly Last Summer, his reinterpretations of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Julius Caesar and Romeo and Juliet, the celebrated 7 hour epic The Harp in the South by Kate Mulvany, his gender inclusive production of Lord of the Flies with Mia Wasikowska, and his ongoing collaborations with actor Hugo Weaving in Brecht’s The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and Tennessee Williams’ Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. Williams was a Board Director of National Institute of Dramatic Art from 2016 to 2023.
Yerin Ha’s theatre credits include Lord of the Flies (Sydney Theatre Company). Her television credits include Dune: Prophecy, Halo and will join the upcoming fourth series of Bridgerton as the series lead Sophie Baek; and for film,Sissy.
Phia Saban’s theatre credits include Oedipus (Wyndham’s Theatre). Her television credits include House of the Dragon and The Last Kingdom.
Lydia Wilson’s theatre credits include The 47th (The Old Vic), Walden (Harold Pinter Theatre), The Duchess of Malfi (Almeida Theatre), King Charles III – Olivier Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress(Almeida Theatre, Wyndham’s Theatre, and Music Box Theatre, New York), Hysteria (Hampstead Theatre), ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore (Barbican and Cheek by Jowl UK tour), The Acid Test, The Heretic (Royal Court Theatre), Blasted (Lyric Hammersmith Theatre), Pains of Youth (National Theatre)and The House of Special Purpose (Chichester Festival Theatre). Her television credits include Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue, Funny Woman, The Swarm, Flack, Requiem, Ripper Street, Misfits, Making of a Lady, Black Mirror, Dirk Gently, Any Human Heart, The Crimson Petal and the White, Pete Versus Life, South Riding and the upcoming Disney+ Original series Alice and Steve; and for film, The Score, All Is True, Still, Star Trek Beyond, Love Is Thicker Than Water, About Time and Never Let Me Go.
DONMAR WAREHOUSE
LISTINGS
41 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H 9LX
Box Office: www.donmarwarehouse.com / 020 3282 3808
Instagram and Facebook: @donmarwarehouse
Bluesky: @donmarwarehouse.bsky.social
PERFORMANCE TIMES
Evenings Mon – Sat 7.30pm
Thursday & Saturday matinees 2pm Juniper Blood
Thursday & Saturday matinees 2.30pm The Maids / When We Are Married
TICKET PRICES£70 (£65) / £55 (£50) / £30 (£25)
Preview discounts apply to the first four performances only
Standing £15 tickets will be released at a later date
35 AND UNDER TICKETS AT £20
Aged 16-35? Sign up to our exclusive email list to book tickets for £20, located throughout the theatre including the front row. Book early to secure these prices. www.donmarwarehouse.com/35under
Maximum two tickets per person – both need to be aged 35 or under at time of the performance. Subject to availability. ID will need to be shown at Box Office to collect tickets.
DONMAR DAILY RELEASE
New tickets on sale every day at the Donmar. Allocations of tickets will be made available every day for performances 7 days later. Tickets will be available across the auditorium at every price band.
ACCESS
The Donmar Warehouse is fully wheelchair accessible. Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome in the auditorium. There is a Loop system and a Radio Frequency system fitted in the main auditorium and there are also hearing loops at all the front of house counters.
ASSISTED PERFORMANCES
If you require a companion to attend the Donmar, their ticket will be free. To book call 020 3282 3808 or email access@donmarwarehouse.com.
For all other access enquiries or bookings call 020 3282 3808.
SEASON AT A GLANCE
JUNIPER BLOOD
Until 4 October
Captioned: Monday 22 September 7.30pm
Audio described: Saturday 27 September 2pm
THE MAIDS
13 October – 29 November
Captioned: Monday 17 November 7.30pm
Audio described: Saturday 22 November 2.30pm
WHEN WE ARE MARRIED
6 December 2025 – 7 February 2026
Captioned: Monday 26 January 7.30pm
Audio described: Saturday 31 January 2.30pm
DONMAR WAREHOUSE
Welcome to the Donmar, where anyone with a passion or curiosity for seriously good theatre belongs. In our powerfully intimate space, we make vivid theatre that transports. Our audience doesn’t sit in the dark; they lean into the light. You’ll want to be in the room and in the moment.
Led by Artistic Director Tim Sheader and Executive Director Henny Finch, the Donmar is an independent non-profit theatre in London’s Covent Garden.
We’re intent on making sure theatre thrives for the next generation by inviting in new younger audiences, inspiring original voices and building the workforce of the future.
We’re grateful for the loyalty and generosity of our many donors and supporters who share our commitment to making this happen.