Michelle Dockery and Laura Aikman to star in world premiere of BLOODSPORT: AFTER HELEN OF TROY
Photo credit: Rebecca Need-Menear
Stratford East has announced initial casting for the world premiere of Bloodsport: After Helen of Troy by award-winning writer Ava Pickett, which plays at the venue from 3 September-10 October.
Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey, ITV) will play Helen opposite Laura Aikman (Gavin & Stacey, BBC) who makes her stage debut as Cee.
Bloodsport: After Helen of Troy marks Lisa Spirling’s directorial debut as Stratford East’s new Artistic Director. Further casting is to be announced.
GIVE IT BACK. GIVE IT BACK NOW. GIVE IT BACK OR I’LL TAKE IT BACK.
Years after she walked out on her family, Helen has returned home after a war fought in her name. Her husband celebrates, her childhood friend Cee does not. Over the course of this first fragile night of peace time, wounds reopen, loyalties fracture and the true cost of a woman's choice to leave her life is made clear.
A play about friendship, motherhood, and what happens when the woman whose face started a war, returns home to finish it.
The creative team also includes set and costume designer Polly Sullivan, lighting designer Zeynep Kepekli, sound designer and composer Nicola T. Chang, movement director Kloé Dean, casting director Juliet Horsley CDG, and dramaturg Ed Madden.
Michelle Dockery said: “Ava is such an extraordinary voice in storytelling right now and I’m delighted to be part of this bold reimagining of Helen’s return from Troy. Stratford East’s history of bringing vital and ambitious stories to life makes it the perfect home for this production.”
Laura Aikman said: “From the moment I read Ava’s brilliant script, I was desperate to play Cee. I think we can deliver something really gripping and I can’t wait to get started.”
Ava Pickett said: “I feel so excited and lucky to be working with Lisa, Michelle and Laura on this new play at Stratford East. To be given the opportunity to reimagine characters we feel we know is such a privilege and I can't wait to share this story with audiences!”
For more info on Bloodsport: After Helen of Troy, please click here.
