THE FORSYTE SAGA PARTS 1 & 2 to play at RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon
Photo credit: Seamus Ryan
The Park Theatre’s celebrated two-part production of The Forsyte Saga - based on John Galsworthy’s Nobel-winning epic novels of love, ownership and the end of Empire - will play at the RSC’s Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon between 28 November 2025 – 10 January 2026.
First presented in 2024 at the Park Theatre, London, the critically acclaimed production is directed by Josh Roche, and retold by Shaun McKenna and Lin Coghlan. Fiona Hampton, Joseph Millson and Flora Spencer-Longhurst will reprise their roles as Irene, Soames and Fleur in a story that covers the years 1886 to 1927.
1886. The Empire is at its peak. Business is good for the Forsytes. Over sixty years they have invested, acquired and saved their way towards wealth. But the Forsyte lust for ownership is relentless. Soames’ possessive love for his wife Irene shatters their marriage. Her break for freedom triggers events which reverberate down the generations.
Director Josh Roche said: “I first read the plays six years ago now and immediately felt the power of them. At their best these two productions should work like a great book by a winter fireside, a place to escape into, a story that is so compelling you don’t notice the hours go by. See both in a day if you can. Galsworthy’s great theme is the strangeness and unpredictability of life. We set out with expectations of one kind, and reality has something else in store…
“And in that way life has imitated art - The Forsyte Saga started out at Park Theatre on a very small budget, brought to life by the willpower of the producer Ashley Cook, whose tenacity and bravery made the project possible. This production’s journey to the RSC, by way of the RSC’s Co-Artistic Directors, Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey’s support, is a testament to the perseverance of freelancers to make work, without safety nets or guarantees.”
Completing the cast are Emma Amos (Emily and Juley Forsyte, Part 1; June and Holly Forsyte, Part 2), Paul Carroll (Ensemble), Nigel Hastings (James Forsyte, Part 1; Jo Forsyte and Harold Blade, Part 2), Michael Lumsden (Jolyon Forsyte, Swithin and Doctor, Part 1; Prosper Profond and Riggs, Part 2), Abigail Mahony (Ensemble), Florence Roberts (June Forsyte and Annette Forsyte, Part 1; Annette Forsyte and Anne Forsyte, Part 2), Andy Rush (Philip Bosinnery and Mr Polteed, Part 1; Jon Forsyte, Part 2), and Jamie Wilkes (Jo Forsyte/Policeman, Part 1; Michael Mont, Part 2).
Joining Josh, Shaun and Lin on the creative team are set and costume designer Anna Yates, lighting designer Alex Musgrave, composer and sound designer Max Pappenheim, and movement director Patrice Bowler, with additional casting by Matthew Dewsbury CDG.
For more info on The Forsythe Saga Parts 1 & 2, please click here.