Full cast announced for Lawrence after Arabia

LAWRENCE AFTER ARABIA

A new play by Howard Brenton
Directed by John Dove 

Thursday 28 April – Saturday 4 June

‘In God’s name man, you’re Lawrence of Arabia! The public won’t let you be anything else, no one will let you be anything else’

Hampstead Theatre presents the world premiere of Howard Brenton’s Lawrence after Arabia, commissioned to mark the centenary of the start of the Arab revolt, which previews from 28 April. Directed by John Dove, the full cast features Sam Alexander, William Chubb, Geraldine James, Khalid Laith, Jack Laskey, Rosalind March and Jeff Rawle.

August, 1922. The most famous man in England has vanished without a trace: T.E. Lawrence has completely disappeared.  But in the idyllic calm of the village of Ayot St Lawrence, on the top floor of the home of Mr and Mrs Bernard Shaw, the ‘uncrowned King of Arabia’ is hiding - with slabs of homemade carrot cake for comfort.

Wearied by his romanticised persona and worldwide fame, disgusted with his country and himself, Lawrence is craving normality. But when you’re a brilliant archaeologist, scholar, linguist, writer and diplomat – as well as a legendary desert warrior - how can you ever be normal?  And beyond the Shaws’ garden wall, nobody cares how he feels: England just wants its hero back. Can he ever return?  

Sam Alexander plays Lowell Thomas, William Chubb plays Field Marshall Edmund Allenby, Geraldine James plays Charlotte Shaw, Khalid Laith plays Prince Feisal, Jack Laskey plays T.E Lawrence, Rosalind March plays Blanche Patch, and Jeff Rawle plays George Bernard Shaw. 

Howard Brenton makes a highly anticipated return to Hampstead following the critically acclaimed historical epics Drawing the Line, 55 days and The Arrest of Ai Weiwei. His many plays include Doctor Scroggy’s War, Anne Boleyn, In Extremis (Shakespeare’s Globe), Dances Of Death (Gate Theatre) The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (Chichester Festival Theatre/ Liverpool Everyman, 2010) Paul, Weapons Of Happiness (National Theatre), Thirteenth Night (RSC); The Genius, Greenland, Berlin Bertie, Bloody Poetry Magnificence (Royal Court) Christie In Love (Portable Theatre, 1969) and Revenge (Theatre Upstairs).

John Dove is a regular collaborator of Howard Brenton, having directed his plays In Extremis, the award-winning Anne Boleyn and Dr Scroggy’s War (all Shakespeare’s Globe).  A prolific stage director, he is a former Associate of Hampstead Theatre where he has directed 15 productions. He is currently an Associate Artist of the Edinburgh Lyceum where he has just directed The Crucible as the culmination of his epic cycle of six Arthur Miller plays.  His most recent production in the West End was Farinelli and the King, which starred Mark Rylance.

DESIGNED BY MICHAEL TAYLOR
LIGHTING BY MARK DOUBLEDAY
SOUND BY JOHN LEONARD
COMPOSER PHILIP PINSKY
CASTING SUZANNE CROWLEY
& GILLY POOLE

28 April – 4 June 2016, Mon–Sat 7.30pm; Wed Mats 2.30pm; Sat Mats 3pm.

Tues-Sat eves: £25-35
Mondays/Matinees/Previews: £18-28
Senior Citizens: From £15 (matinees only)
Under 30s: From £10 for any performance
Other Concessions: From £15

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