Casting announced for Wonderland

Hampstead Theatre presents the World Premiere of

WONDERLAND

By Beth Steel
Directed by Edward Hall
Designed by Ashley Martin Davis
Choreography by Scott Ambler
Music composed by Simon Slater

20 June – 26 July 2014
Press Night: Thursday 26 June at 7pm

CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT
Marking the thirtieth anniversary of the Miners’ Strike, *Beth Steel*’s political drama presents the full sweep of the turbulent events that transformed the country – from the corridors of Westminster, to pitched battles with the police, to the coal faces of Nottinghamshire.
Hampstead Theatre is delighted to announce the full cast.

Michael Cochrane plays Ian MacGregor, Chairman of the Coal Board, with Paul Cawley as Transport Secretary Nicholas Ridley and Andrew Havill as Secretary of State for Energy Peter Walker. Dugald Bruce-Lockhart plays eccentric libertarian David Hart and Andrew Readman plays US Economic Milton Friedman.

On the front line, the miners are played by Nigel Betts, Paul Brennen, Gunnar Cauthery, Ben-Ryan Davies, David Moorst, Paul Rattray and Simon Slater.

The Midlands, 1984. Two young lads are about to learn what it is to be a miner, to be accepted into the close camaraderie and initiated into a unique workplace where sweat, toil, collapsing roofs and explosions are all to be met with bawdy humour.

London, 1984. A conflicted Tory MP, a brash American CEO and a maverick are the face of a radical Conservative government preparing to do battle with the most powerful workforce, the miners.

As the two sides clash, the miners fight for their livelihoods and families, and the government for its vision of a free Britain. Together they change the fabric of the nation forever.

A finalist for The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize for Best New Play, Wonderland is Steel’s first major play to be produced on the London stage following her writing debut Ditch in the Old Vic Tunnels.

Wonderland is directed by Hampstead Theatre’s Artistic Director Edward Hall following the sell out Sunny Afternoon currently at Hampstead, Raving and Chariots of Fire (Hampstead/West End).

Lighting is by Peter Mumford and sound by Matt McKenzie.

This production is made possible by the generous support of Lin and Ken Craig.

For press information and reviewing tickets please contact Sharon Kean on 020 7697 8453 / 07973 843133 sharon@keanlanyon.com.