Photo credit: Nadav Kander
The first four shows in Rupert Goold’s inaugural season as Artistic Director of the Old Vic have been announced today.
From 26 January - 27 March, Damian Lewis (Homeland, Band of Brothers) will star as Henry V in Rupert Goold’s provocative new production of Shakespeare’s history play.
‘A kingdom for a stage’
War is coming. Two nations divided by one sea. England’s greatest warrior-king leads his army into battle against seemingly insurmountable odds. From the walls of Harfleur to the fields of Agincourt, destiny awaits.
The creative team includes set designer Miriam Buether, costume designer Evie Gurney, lighting designer Jack Knowles, sound designer and composer Adam Cork, choreographer Hannes Langolf, and casting director Bryony Jarvis-Taylor CDG.
From 10 April - 29 May, Milly Alcock (Supergirl, House of the Dragon) will play the titular role in Julie - a contemporary new version of August Strindberg’s classic Miss Julie, adapted and directed by Old Vic Associate Director Rebecca Frecknall, originally produced by Internationaal Theater Amsterdam.
‘The parasite will always need a host’
Fuelled by desire, repressed by expectations, caged by society - Julie is desperate to break free.
Stumbling into the kitchen on the night of her 21st birthday party, Julie seeks out her father’s employees John and Christine. As one room becomes a battlefield of class and sexual politics, a reckless flirtation becomes a merciless contest sending all three people hurtling towards destruction.
The production features set by Chloe Lamford, costumes by An D'Huys, lighting by Jack Knowles, sound by George Dennis, casting by Amy Ball CDG, intimacy direction by Ingrid Mackinnon, and fight direction by Sam Lyon-Behan. Further creative team to be announced.
From 15 June - 21 August, Rupert Goold will direct Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s Tony Award-winning musical Assassins, a sharp and relevant satire that assembles a group of misfits who have attempted to assassinate the President of the United States.
‘Everybody gets a shot’
Roll up! Roll up! And take a ride at the fun-est fair in town. Scream if you want to go faster. Grab a gun! Get the girl! Start a revolution!
Announced creative team are set designer Chloe Lamford and casting director Bryony Jarvis-Taylor CDG, with further creatives tba.
From 27 August - 4 September, Arinzé Kene (Misty, Girl from the North Country) performs in the one man show Kohlhaas, a true story and bold adaptation of the novella Michael Kohlhaas, by Marco Baliani and Remo Rostagno, translated and directed by Omar Elerian, originally produced by Brighton Festival.
‘Fire and steel, Kohlhaas! Fire and steel! Isn’t that how you shoed your stallions' hooves? Fire and steel!’
When a nobleman wrongfully seizes two of Michael Kohlhaas’ horses, he begins a quest for justice that sees him take on the political establishment, with violent and far-reaching consequences.
The production features lighting and smoke effects by Jackie Shemesh, set and costume design by Ana Inés Jabares-Pita, sound by Dan Pollard and Matthew Herbert, and composition by Matthew Herbert.
Introducing his first season as Old Vic Artistic Director, Rupert Goold said: “I am thrilled to be presenting my first season with a collection of plays that speaks to the Old Vic’s rich history of classical theatre, European repertoire and musical revivals. I hope my Old Vic will be able to draw on this theatre’s storied legacy of sensational acting in groundbreaking and accessible productions.
The Old Vic, which has always sat between the subsidised and commercial sectors, dancing to its own distinctive tune, is innately a maverick playhouse. Home of national companies, birthplace of national treasures, I feel both excited and humble before its history. Building on the fine work of Matthew Warchus, I hope this new era may find its inspiration from that marriage of tradition and contemporary daring that has characterised its glorious past.”
