A HAMPSTEAD THEATRE UK PREMIERE

VISIT FROM AN UNKNOWN WOMAN

BY Christopher Hampton
BASED ON THE SHORT STORY BY STEFAN ZWEIG
DIRECTED BY CHELSEA WALKER

Running time: 1 hour and 10 minutes without an interval

There’s this monstrous idiot – this monstrous elected idiot – who keeps telling his fellow-idiots to throw my books on a bonfire and beat me up in the street…

Main Stage

21 Jun - 27 Jul 2024

Box Office: 020 7722 9301

Details
★★★★ 'A dark and haunting romance' The Reviews Hub
'Gripping study of obsession and fantasy' The Guardian
'Handsomely staged, beautifully acted' The Times
'Stylish and sexually charged' The Stage

Vienna, 1934. Stefan is one of the world’s most successful authors – widely read, universally admired, and translated into every language. His is the life of a wealthy playboy, enjoying only the finest things in life - from luxurious world travel to the company of his most dazzling contemporaries in Europe’s most fashionable restaurants. Only two things cloud his prospects: the rise of the Nazi Party, and the sudden appearance of a woman who he clearly knows… but who he cannot, for the life of him, remember…

Christopher Hampton’s adaptation of the short story by Stefan Zweig (1881-1942) receives its English Language premiere following a triumphant run at Vienna’s Josefstadt Theater. Winner of multiple awards including two Oscars, Hampton’s plays include Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Tales from Hollywood and The Philanthropist, and he is celebrated for his translations of Reza and Zeller.

Chelsea Walker returns to Hampstead to direct following her acclaimed productions of Yous Two and This Much I Know. Her recent work includes On the Beach (Sheffield), Missing Julie (Theatr Clwyd), Hedda Gabler (Sherman), Cougar (Orange Tree) and A Streetcar Named Desire (ETT).

 

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Cast

Artistic team

WRITER

CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON

SHORT STORY

STEFAN ZWEIG

DIRECTOR

CHELSEA WALKER

DESIGNER

ROSANNA VIZE

ASSISTANT DESIGNER

EMELINE BEROUD

PRODUCTION MANAGER

PAM NICHOL

LIGHTING DESIGNER

BETHANY GUPWELL

SOUND DESIGNER

PETER RICE

COMPOSER

MAX PERRYMENT

MOVEMENT DIRECTOR

MICHELA MEAZZA

INTIMACY DIRECTOR

LUCY FENNELL

CASTING DIRECTOR

ARTHUR CARRINGTON

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

ALEX KAMPFNER

DEPUTY PRODUCTION MANAGER

JOSH COLLINS

COMPANY STAGE MANAGER

JERRY GUNN

DEPUTY STAGE MANAGER

RAY YOUNG

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

ROMA RADFORD

Cast

News

FINANCIAL TIMES INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON

Posted on 10 July 2024

Playwright Christopher Hampton talks to Financial Times about his new work Visit from an Unknown Woman which deals with sexual obsession at a time of political turmoil.

THE TELEGRAPH INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON

Posted on 21 June 2024

Find out more about Stefan Zweig's life and Christopher Hampton's adaptation of his short story to stage play in this interview with The Telegraph.

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE UK PREMIERE OF VISIT FROM AN UNKNOWN WOMAN

Posted on 7 May 2024

Casting has been announced for Visit from an Unknown Woman; a new play by Christopher Hampton based on the compelling short story by Stefan Zweig. Directed by Chelsea Walker, the play will have its UK premiere at Hampstead Theatre from 21 June to 27 July.

HAMPSTEAD THEATRE ANNOUNCES ITS SPRING 2024 SEASON PLUS THE LAUNCH OF A £1.25M FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

Posted on 23 November 2023

Spring 2024 will see four world premieres, one UK premiere, and one English language premiere by acclaimed writers including April De Angelis, Stephen Adly Guirgis, Christopher Hampton and Richard Nelson alongside rising playwrights Sarah Power and Richard Molloy.

Tickets

Previews

Full Price: £25/£35/£45 

Under 30s/Students: £10 

Access ½ price 

Groups: For every 9 tickets get the 10th free 

 

Monday – Saturday 

Full price: £35/£45/£55  

Under 30s/Students: £10 

Access ½ price 

Seniors*: (matinees only): £26/£36/£46

Groups: For every 9 tickets get the 10th free 

*Ages 60+ 

 

All prices are subject to change. Book early for the best price. 

 

Content Warnings

CONTENT WARNINGS - VISIT FROM AN UNKNOWN WOMAN

This production contains the smoking of herbal cigarettes. It also contains references to antisemitism, child loss, domestic abuse and suicide.

 

Please note that our content warnings evolve as the production does throughout rehearsal and previews, so there may be changes made between booking and attending the theatre. If you would like to speak to a member of our team about specific themes or concerns, please call the Box Office on 020 7722 9301 or email boxoffice@hampsteadtheatre.com

Video and Image Gallery

JAMES CORRIGAN (STEFAN) & NATALIE SIMPSON (MARIANNE) Photo taken by Marc Brenner JAMES CORRIGAN (STEFAN) & NATALIE SIMPSON (MARIANNE)Photo taken by Marc Brenner
NIGEL HASTINGS (JOHANN) & NATALIE SIMPSON (MARIANNE) Photo taken by Marc Brenner NIGEL HASTINGS (JOHANN) & NATALIE SIMPSON (MARIANNE)Photo taken by Marc Brenner
NATALIE SIMPSON (MARIANNE) & JAMES CORRIGAN (STEFAN) Photo taken by Marc Brenner NATALIE SIMPSON (MARIANNE) & JAMES CORRIGAN (STEFAN)Photo taken by Marc Brenner
JESSIE GATTWARD (YOUNG MARIANNE) Photo taken by Marc Brenner JESSIE GATTWARD (YOUNG MARIANNE)Photo taken by Marc Brenner
NATALIE SIMPSON (MARIANNE) Photo taken by Marc Brenner NATALIE SIMPSON (MARIANNE)Photo taken by Marc Brenner
JAMES CORRIGAN (STEFAN), NATALIE SIMPSON (MARIANNE) & JESSIE GATTWARD (YOUNG MARIANNE) Photo taken by Marc Brenner JAMES CORRIGAN (STEFAN), NATALIE SIMPSON (MARIANNE) & JESSIE GATTWARD (YOUNG MARIANNE)Photo taken by Marc Brenner
JAMES CORRIGAN (STEFAN) & NATALIE SIMPSON (MARIANNE) Photo taken by Marc Brenner JAMES CORRIGAN (STEFAN) & NATALIE SIMPSON (MARIANNE)Photo taken by Marc Brenner
JAMES CORRIGAN (STEFAN) Photo taken by Marc Brenner JAMES CORRIGAN (STEFAN)Photo taken by Marc Brenner
NIGEL HASTINGS (JOHANN) & JAMES CORRIGAN (STEFAN) Photo taken by Marc Brenner NIGEL HASTINGS (JOHANN) & JAMES CORRIGAN (STEFAN)Photo taken by Marc Brenner
JESSIE GATTWARD (YOUNG MARIANNE) Photo taken by Marc Brenner JESSIE GATTWARD (YOUNG MARIANNE)Photo taken by Marc Brenner