Back to News & Press Harry Potter and the Cursed Child receives 5 Drama Desk Awards Saturday, 2 June 2018 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child received 5 Drama Desk Awards at the ceremony. Outstanding Director of a Play – John Tiffany Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play – Neil Austin Outstanding Projection Design – Finn Ross & Ash Woodward Outstanding Sound Design for a Play – Gareth Fry Outstanding Music in a Play – Imogen Heap Up Up

Back to News & Press Casting is announced for the transfer of Claire Van Kampen's new play Farinelli and the King Friday, 27 March 2015 Shakespeare's Globe and Sonia Friedman Productions are delighted to announce the West End transfer of Claire van Kampen’s critically-acclaimed new play Farinelli and the King, directed by John Dove, designed by Jonathan Fensom and starring Mark Rylance (Wolf Hall, Jerusalem, Richard III, Twelfth Night), as King Philippe V of Spain. Sam Crane will once again play the acting role of Farinelli, while the singing role will be reprised by opera star, Iestyn Davies and shared with Rupert Enticknap. The rest of the cast will also transfer with Huss Garbiya playing Doctor Jose Cervi, Melody Grove playing Isabella Farnese, Colin Hurley as Metastasio and Edward Peel as De la Cuadra. The Duke of York’s Theatre will be transformed as the magical and intimate atmosphere of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is brought to the West End with onstage seating, candles and live Baroque music played by six onstage musicians, led by Harpsichordist and Musical Director Robert Howarth. Directed by John Dove and designed by Jonathan Fensom, the West End production will open on 14th September 2015 and play for a strictly limited run until December 5th. Opening Night will be on Tuesday 29th September. Set in eighteenth-century Spain, Claire van Kampen's moving and mesmerising new play tells the intriguing true story of Farinelli, once the world’s most famous castrato and one of the greatest celebrities of his time, and his decision to trade fame and fortune in the opera-houses of Europe for a life of servitude at the court of King Philippe V. This enchanting new play explores the dynamics between Farinelli and the royal couple, featuring many of the exquisite arias first sung by Farinelli in the 1730’s. The Duke of York’s Theatre will be transformed for this sumptuous production, lit almost exclusively by the glow of candle-light and with live music played on Baroque instruments. Mark Rylance last appeared in a Globe production in 2012 in Tim Carroll's hugely lauded sell-out productions of Twelfth Night and Richard III, which subsequently enjoyed phenomenally successful West End and Broadway runs, also produced by Sonia Friedman Productions. Mark’s other recent theatre credits include Johnny ‘Rooster’ Byron in Jez Butterworth's Jerusalem, (Royal Court, West End, Broadway) and this year he also starred as Thomas Cromwell in the BBC2 adaptation of Hilary Mantel's Booker Prize-winning novel Wolf Hall. It has recently been announced that Mark will play the title role in the Steven Spielberg feature film of Dahl’s the BFG. Claire van Kampen, founding Director of Music, Shakespeare’s Globe has created music for over 45 productions there, including The Duchess of Malfi with Gemma Arterton. A theatre specialist on music and text of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, her stage credits also include original scores for Matthew Warchus’ Broadway productions of Boeing-Boeing. La Bete and True West. Claire’s television and film credits include Peter Kosminsky’s Wolf Hall, Roland Emmerich’s Anonymous and Christian Camargo's Days and Nights. John Dove’s previous directorial work for Shakespeare’s Globe includes Dr Scroggy’s War, Blue Stockings, All’s Well That Ends Well, Anne Boleyn, In Extremis, Measure for Measure (LA and New York Tour) and The Winter’s Tale (Tour). He is an Artistic Associate of the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh where he has directed Pressure by David Haig, a co-production with Chichester Festival Theatre, Death of a Salesman, All My Sons, View From the Bridge, The Price and The Man Who Had All the Luck. John was Associate Director at Hampstead Theatre and has also directed at the Royal Court, The Old Vic, The Lyric Hammersmith, the Bush Theatre and Theatre Royal Stratford E15. Jonathan Fensom’s previous work for Shakespeare’s Globe includes The Changeling, The Duchess of Malfi, (both at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse), The Life and Death of King John, Julius Caesar, Gabriel, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Henry V, Henry IV Parts 1 & 2, King Lear and Love’s Labour’s Lost. Other theatre includes Rain Man, Some Girls, Twelfth Night, Smaller, Journey’s End, What the Butler Saw, East (West End). Jonathan was the Associate Set Designer on Disney’s The Lion King, which premiered at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Broadway and has subsequently opened worldwide. His set design for Journey’s End (West End and Broadway) was nominated for a Tony Award in 2007. The production won the Tony Award for Best Revival. Jonathan won the UK Theatre Award for Best Design in 2013. Praised as 'one of the most glorious countertenor voices in the world today' by the Independent and described as 'superb' by the New York Times, Iestyn Davies’ recent awards include the 2013 Critics’ Circle Award for Exceptional Young Talent and the 2014 Gramophone Recital Award for his recent disc Arise, my muse. A versatile performer equally at home on both the opera and concert stage, Iestyn has sung roles for New York's Metropolitan Opera, Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Paris' Opera Comique, English National Opera, Milan's Teatro alla Scala and at the Munich and Vienna Festivals. He has also performed in concert and recital at the Barbican, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, the Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall in New York, the Royal Albert Hall at the BBC Proms and London's Wigmore Hall. Sam Crane starred as Winston Smith in Headlong’s recent critically-acclaimed production of 1984 when it transferred from the Almeida to the West End. His other stage credits include The Humans (BAM New York), Henry IV Parts One & Two and Othello (Globe Theatre), Some Trace of Her and DNA (National Theatre), Kebab (Royal Court) and Ghosts (Bristol Old Vic). He received the Ian Charleson Award for Othello and Ghosts. His screen credits include Desperate Romantics (series), Call the Midwife and Poirot. Rupert Enticknap is a British countertenor who recently played Nerillus in L’Ormindo at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, a ground-breaking collaboration between Shakespeare’s Globe and The Royal Opera House. His previous performances at the Royal Opera House include the world premiere of Richter's SUM for ROH2 in the Linbury Studio Theatre. Rupert has worked with numerous conductors worldwide including Laurence Cummings, Alan Curtis, Harry Bicket, Rubén Dubrovsky, René Jacobs, Ottavio Dantone, Fabio Biondi, Christophe Rousset and Jean-Christophe Spinosi. His upcoming engagements include Handel’s Agrippina in Iford under Christopher Bucknall and Florian Leopold Gassmann’s L’Opera Seria at Brussel’s La Monnaie with René Jacobs. Huss Garbiya previously performed at Shakespeare’s Globe in The Frontline, Blue Stockings, and Dominic Dromgoole’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream which was later screened in cinemas as part of the 2014 Globe on Screen season, before touring to Asia and Russia. His other stage credits include The Comedy of Errors (Royal Exchange, Manchester) and The Taming of the Shrew (RSC). Melody Grove recently appeared in In Lambeth at Southwark Playhouse. Elsewhere her theatre credits include The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart (National Theatre of Scotland), Much Ado About Nothing (Old Vic), The Importance of Being Earnest (Lyric Belfast/ Lyceum Edinburgh) and Of Mice and Men (Lyceum, Edinburgh). Colin Hurley previously performed at Shakespeare’s Globe in Twelfth Night, Richard III, All’s Well That Ends Well, Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Macbeth, The Golden Ass, Measure for Measure, The Winter’s Tale, Troilus and Cressida and In Extremis. For the National Theatre his credits include Remember This, Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, Mary Stuart, Wild Oats, Richard III and King Lear and for the RSC he has appeared in A Month In The Country, Hamlet and Troilus and Cressida. Edward Peel has performed in numerous productions at Shakespeare’s Globe including ’Tis Pity She’s a Whore, Eternal Love, Blue Stockings, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Anne Boleyn, Troilus and Cressida and The Winter’s Tale. His extensive credits elsewhere include Enemies at the Almeida Theatre, The Dragon, Twelfth Night and D.H.Lawrence Trilogy for the Royal Court, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Drum Theatre and An Inspector Calls at the National Theatre. He is perhaps best known for his television roles in Juliet Bravo, Cracker, London’s Burning and Doctor Who. Up Up

Back to News & Press Final six weeks of The Ferryman in the West End after winning three awards at the 2018 Olivier Awards Monday, 9 April 2018 Produced by Sonia Friedman Productions , Neal Street Productions and Royal Court Theatre Productions, The Ferryman will play its final performance at the Gielgud Theatre on 19 May 2018, prior to its Broadway transfer. More than 350,000 people will have seen the production during its year long run of 410 performances, with over 14,000 tickets sold at £12.50 or under. Jez Butterworth ’s The Ferryman was the most recognised play at this year’s Olivier Awards with eight award nominations. It went on to win the award for Best New Play, while Sam Mendes was awarded Best Director and Laura Donnelly received the honour for Best Actress. The Olivier Awards follow successes at The Evening Standard Awards, Critics Circle Awards and What’s On Stage Awards at all of which The Ferryman was given the Best New Play Award. The production won widespread critical acclaim when it opened at the Royal Court and was the fastest selling show in the theatre’s history. This phenomenal success has continued at the Gielgud Theatre where it has been playing to sold-out houses. The current company includes Dean Ashton as Frank Magennis, Declan Conlon as Muldoon, Rosalie Craig in the role of Caitlin Carney, Kevin Creedon as JJ Carney, Charles Dale as Father Horrigan, Sean Delaney as Michael Carney, Justin Edwards as Tom Kettle, Saoirse-Monica Jackson as Shena Carney, Terence Keeley as Diarmaid Corcoran, Laurie Kynaston as Oisin Carney, Mark Lambert as Uncle Pat, Catherine McCormack as Mary Carney, Stella McCusker as Aunt Maggie Far Away, Owen McDonnell playing Quinn Carney, Francis Mezza as Shane Corcoran, Glenn Speers as Lawrence Malone and Siân Thomas as Aunt Pat. As previously the full company comprises 37 performers: 17 main adults, 7 covers, 12 children on rota and 1 baby. The Ferryman in the West End is directed by Sam Mendes , designed by Rob Howell , lighting by Peter Mumford , sound and original music by Nick Powell , with the current cast directed by Tim Hoare and casting by Amy Ball CDG . Sonia Friedman Productions and Neal Street Productions will transfer The Ferryman to Broadway at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 W 45th St, New York) opening in October 2018. Tickets are onsale through Telecharge.com. Full production schedule, the 30-plus member cast and full creative team for The Ferryman on Broadway will be announced at a later date. Up Up

Back to News & Press First look trailer released for critically acclaimed, Olivier Award-winning smash-hit STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW as the show extends into 2025 due to unprecedented demand Wednesday, 22 May 2024 Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions today release the first look trailer for the critically acclaimed world première production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow . With some of the groundbreaking theatrical special effects teased on film for the first time, the show announces an extension into 2025 at the Phoenix Theatre. CLICK HERE TO VIEW Written by Kate Trefry and with direction by Stephen Daldry and co-director Justin Martin , the production opened to rave reviews at the Phoenix Theatre on 14 December 2023. The show, currently breaking box office records at Phoenix Theatre where it is now booking until 16 February, has recently won several awards including the Olivier Awards for Best Entertainment and Best Set Design, the Critics’ Circle Awards for Best Set Design and Most Promising Newcomer, and the WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Play. The cast is Shane Attwooll (Chief Hopper ), Kemi Awoderu (Sue Anderson ), Chase Brown (Lonnie Byers ), Christopher Buckley (Bob Newby ), Ammar Duffus (Charles Sinclair ), Gilles Geary (Ted Wheeler), Florence Guy (Karen Childress), Max Harwood (Alan Munson), Michael Jibson (Victor Creel ), Oscar Lloyd (James Hopper Jr. ), Louis McCartney (Henry Creel ), Isabella Pappas (Joyce Maldonado ), Matthew Pidgeon (Principal Newby ), Calum Ross (Walter Henderson ), Maisie Norma Seaton (Claudia Yount ), Patrick Vaill (Dr Brenner ), Alex Young (Virginia Creel ), Ella Karuna Williams (Patty Newby ), and Anika Boyle , Lily Crawford , Faith Delaney and Imogen Turner (alternating the role of Alice Creel ); with Tricia Adele-Turner , Lauren Arney , Samuel Baxter , Reya-Nyomi Brown , Patricia Castro , Lydia Fraser , Isaac Gryn , Mark Hammersley , Benjamin Lafayette, Tom Peters , Kingdom Sibanda , Tiana Simone , Danny Sykes and Meesha Turner . ABOUT STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won’t take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town. When new student Henry Creel arrives, his family finds that a fresh start isn’t so easy… and the shadows of the past have a very long reach. Brought to life by a multi-award-winning creative team, who take theatrical storytelling and stagecraft to a whole new dimension, this gripping new adventure will take you right back to the beginning of the Stranger Things story – and may hold the key to the end. STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW is written by Kate Trefry , directed by Stephen Daldry, with co-director Justin Martin , set design by Miriam Buether , costume design by Brigitte Reiffenstuel , lighting design by Jon Clark , sound design by Paul Arditti , original music composition, orchestration, arrangements and supervision by D.J. Walde, illusions design & visual effects by Jamie Harrison & Chris Fisher , video design & visual effects by 59 Productions , choreography by Coral Messam , movement direction by Lynne Page , wigs, hair and make-up design by Campbell Young Associates , technical director is Gary Beestone for Gary Beestone Associates, props supervision by Mary Halliday , dialect by William Conacher , fight direction by Kev McCurdy , casting by Jessica Ronane Casting CDG with additional casting by Charlotte Sutton CDG , and international casting consultancy by Jim Carnahan . Up Up

Back to News & Press Character portraits of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child cast released Wednesday, 1 June 2016 Joining previously announced Jamie Parker as Harry Potter, Noma Dumezweni as Hermione Granger, andPaul Thornley as Ron Weasley are: Sam Clemmett as Albus Potter, Poppy Miller as Ginny Potter, Cherrelle Skeete as Rose Granger-Weasley, Alex Price as Draco Malfoy and Anthony Boyle as Scorpius Malfoy. With the first preview just around the corner, you can also take a look behind the scenes at the character portraits photoshoot in an exciting new video, which can be found here . Visit the official website to see all of the character portraits and for more information about the production. Up Up

Back to Productions BENT This production began performances on 5th October 2006 and closed on 13th January 2007. Spellbinding? An enthralling revival. The Observer BENT follows a personal journey from the cabarets and clubs of a hedonistic city to the inhuman excesses of a totalitarian regime, as a gay man discovers the true meaning of love and self-acceptance against almost impossible odds. A transcendent love story, Bent has touched a universal nerve in the more than fifty countries that it has been seen in and is now a standard on UK drama, history and literature syllabuses. Bent is a technically accomplished, artistically ambitious evening. It makes you wince. Daily Mail This is the first major production of BENT , Martin Sherman 's landmark play, in over seventeen years. This new production, starring Alan Cumming and directed by Daniel Kramer also features a new song, especially written for the show, by Chris Lowe of The Pet Shop Boys and Martin Sherman . Raw, brutal and totally brilliant...Alan Cumming in a breathtaking and doubtless soon-to-be award winning performance. Daily Express CAST ALAN CUMMING CREATIVES MARTIN SHERMAN – Playwright DANIEL KRAMER – Director

Back to Productions AFTER MISS JULIE – BROADWAY This production began performances on 18th September and closed on 6th December 2009. Sequestered in her grandmother's country house on the eve of the Labour Party's historic landslide victory, young Miss Julie engages in a forbidden flirtation that quickly spins into a life and death struggle for power. Sienna Miller (Factory Girl ) and Jonny Lee Miller (Trainspotting ) made their Broadway debuts in this American premiere. Patrick Marber 's new interpretation of August Strindberg 's classic drama about class and sex transposes Miss Julie to the English countryside in 1945. CAST SIENNA MILLER – Miss Julie JOHNNY LEE MILLER – John MARIN IRELAND – Christine CREATIVES PATRICK MARBER – Playwright MARK BROKAW – Director DAVID VAN TIEGHEM – Original Music & Sound ALLEN MOYER – Set Deisgner MICHAEL KRASS – Costume Designer MARK MCCULLOUGH – Lighting Designer

Back to Productions JERUSALEM – BROADWAY This production began performances on 1st April and opened on 21st April. The strictly limited 20-week engagement closed on 23rd August 2011. Mark Rylance has had an extraordinary season on Broadway. His performance in Jerusalem is AMAZING. He is this larger-than-life Falstaffian figure who really dominates the stage. You should not miss Jerusalem, it's that special of a performance! The New York Times There's no denying the writing's lyrical power, and Ian Rickson's London production – now mixing a few American actors with the British ones – has a punch-in-the-gut virtuosity New York Post Tony and Olivier Award-winning star Mark Rylance (La Bête, Boeing-Boeing) will recreate his wildly acclaimed, multi-award-winning performance as Johnny ‘Rooster’ Byron on Broadway in the Royal Court Theatre production of Jez Butterworth ’s universally heralded new play, JERUSALEM . The production, directed by Ian Rickson , will also star Mackenzie Crook (The Seagull, “The Office”) as Ginger and most of the original Royal Court cast, with full casting to be announced at a later date. JERUSALEM will then transfer once again to the West End, previewing at the Apollo Theatre from 8 October 2011, with press night on 17 October, booking until 14 January 2012. Sonia Friedman Productions , Stuart Thompson , Scott Rudin , Roger Berlind , Royal Court Theatre Productions , Beverly Bartner/ Alice Tulchin , Dede Harris/ Rupert Gavin , Broadway Across America , Jon B/ Platt , 1001 Nights/ Stephanie P. McClelland , Carole L. Haber/ Richard Willis , Jacki Barlia Florin/ Adam Blanshay present the Royal Court Theatre production of “JERUSALEM ”. Mark Rylance triumphs again on Broadway Associated Press CAST MARK RYLANCE – Johnny "Rooster" Byron MACKENZIE CROOK – Ginger JOHN GALLAGHER, JR – Lee JAY SULLIVAN – Lee/Frank Wgitworth (19 Jul – 21 Aug) MAX BAKER – Wesley ALAN DAVID – The Professor AIMEÉ-FFION EDWARDS – Phaedra AIDEN EYRICK – Marky (Alternate) GERALDINE HUGHES – Dawn DANNY KIRRANE – Davey CHARLOTTE MILLS – Tanya SARAH MOYLE – Ms. Fawcett MARK PAGE – Marky (Alternate) MOLLY RANSON – Pea HARVEY ROBINSON – Mr. Parsons BARRY SLOANE – Troy Whitworth RICHARD SHORT – Danny Whitworth JAMES RIODAN – Frank Whitworth (19 Jul – 21 Aug) CREATIVES JEZ BUTTERWORTH – Playwright STEPHEN WARBECK – Composer IAN RICKSON – Director ULTZ – Set/Costume Designer MIMI JORDAN SHERIN – Lighting Designer IAN DICKINSON – Sound Designer

Back to News & Press Evening Standard Award wins - The Inheritance and The Jungle Sunday, 18 November 2018 The 64th Evening Standard Awards were announced on November 18, 2018, at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The Best Play award was won by Matthew Lopez for The Inheritance and Miriam Buether was awarded Best Design for The Jungle. Up Up

Back to News & Press Further Casting Announced for Funny Girl on Broadway Tuesday, 5 October 2021 Sonia Friedman, Scott Landis and David Babani are proud to announce that Golden Globe Award nominee Beanie Feldstein (“American Crime Story: Impeachment;” Hello, Dolly!) will be joined by Tony and Olivier Award nominee Ramin Karimloo (Les Misérables, Anastasia) as ‘Nick Arnstein,’ five-time Emmy Award winner Jane Lynch (“Glee,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) as ‘Mrs. Rosie Brice’ and Jeff Award winner Jared Grimes (A Soldier’s Play, After Midnight) as ‘Eddie Ryan’ in the first Broadway revival of FUNNY GIRL. Back on Broadway for the first time in 58 years, the new production directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Spring Awakening) begins performances Saturday, March 26, 2022, and officially opens on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at Broadway’s August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street). Jane Lynch said, “I grew up to the Broadway cast album of Funny Girl. My mother and I knew every breath of that record and would sing it together at the top of our lungs. I am thrilled beyond words to be playing Fanny’s mother on Broadway. And somewhere in Heaven my Mom is asking, ‘Who taught her everything she knows?’” Ramin Karimloo said, “I’m very excited to be joining Funny Girl’s return to Broadway. I’ve been waiting 2 years to sink my teeth into Nicky Arnstein and get into the room with Michael Mayer, the creative team and cast, led by the exceptional Beanie Feldstein. Cannot wait.” Jared Grimes said, “It will be a dream to share the stage every night with this cast and creative team whom I’ve loved from afar for such a long time! I can’t wait to spread love and joy in a live setting again. I’m still on cloud nine knowing that I’ll actually be in one of the most iconic musicals of all time. I’m beaming from ear to ear knowing that people will know me as Eddie Ryan!” An exclusive fan presale begins today at 9AM ET through tomorrow, Thursday, October 7. To join the fan presale for first access to tickets, sign up for the FUNNY GIRL email list by visiting www.FunnyGirlOnBroadway.com . Those who subscribe before the public on-sale on Friday, October 8 will also be entered to win a pair of tickets to opening night. Beginning Friday, October 8 at 10AM ET, tickets will go on sale to the general public at https://seatgeek.com/funny-girl-tickets. Tickets for FUNNY GIRL start from $39.00. With choreography by Ellenore Scott (Head Over Heels, “So You Think You Can Dance”), tap choreography by Ayodele Casel (New York Times’ “Biggest Breakout Stars of 2019”), a revised book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots, La Cage Aux Folles) and scenic design by Tony Award winner David Zinn (Fun Home), FUNNY GIRL features music by Tony, Grammy and Academy Award winner Jule Styne, lyrics by Tony Award nominee and Grammy Award winner Bob Merrill and a book by Isobel Lennart, from an original story by Miss Lennart. Additional casting and the complete creative team will be announced shortly. This bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she'd never be a star, but then something funny happened—she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway. Featuring some of the most iconic songs in theatre history including “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People,” Michael Mayer’s bold new production marks the first time FUNNY GIRL will return to Broadway since its debut 58 years ago. The original production of FUNNY GIRL premiered on Broadway in 1964 starring Barbra Streisand as ‘Fanny Brice’ and was nominated for eight Tony Awards including Best Musical. Follow FUNNY GIRL on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram @FunnyGirlBway Up Up

Back to News & Press Further Casting Announced for the National Theatre's West End Transfer of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Thursday, 31 July 2025 The National Theatre announces today further casting for the West End transfer of its critically acclaimed production of The Importance of Being Earnest. Joining Olly Alexander, who plays the role of Algernon Moncrieff, is Nathan Stewart-Jarrett as Jack Worthing, Hugh Dennis as Rev. Canon Chasuble, Shobna Gulati as Miss Prism, Kitty Hawthorne as Gwendolen Fairfax, Jessica Whitehurst as Cecily Cardew, Hayley Carmichael as Merriman/Lane, and Stephen Fry as Lady Bracknell. This ‘bold and brash Wilde reboot’ (★★★★ The Times) will run for a limited season at the Noël Coward Theatre, a Delfont Mackintosh Theatre, in a co-production with Sonia Friedman Productions, from 18 September 2025 until 10 January 2026. This ‘sparkling new production’ (★★★★★ Daily Mail) directed by Max Webster, is a joyful and flamboyant reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy. Max Webster , director, said: “Oscar Wilde was a master of elegance, rebellion, and razor-sharp wit. With this cast – led by the audacious brilliance of Olly Alexander, the hugely captivating Nathan Stewart-Jarrett and the legendary Stephen Fry as Lady Bracknell – we’re embracing the play’s subversive heart in a way that feels utterly now. I’d like to think Wilde would be delighted – and perhaps even a little scandalised – by this bold, joyful take on his most iconic comedy.” Stephen Fry said: "I was delighted to be asked by Max Webster to join his jubilant National Theatre production and play the formidable Lady Bracknell in the West End. Oscar Wilde has been a hugely important figure in my life and career and The Importance of Being Earnest is a play that changed my life when I first saw it aged 10. It made me understand what language can do and absolutely transported me. Wilde is a beacon to people who still believe in open thinking and adventuring with the mind and spirit. " Being sensible can be excessively boring. At least Jack thinks so. While assuming the role of dutiful guardian in the country, he lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy takes on a similar facade. Unfortunately, living a double life has its drawbacks, especially when it comes to love. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate. Max Webster is an award-winning theatre director, specialising in spectacular new work, opera and live music events. Recent acclaimed productions include Macbeth (Donmar Warehouse/West End), Life of Pi (Sheffield Theatres/West End/Broadway), Henry V (Donmar Warehouse) and The Lorax (Old Vic). He was Associate Director at the Old Vic from 2015 until 2019 and at the Donmar Warehouse from 2020 until 2024. ‘This exuberant production’ (★★★★ The i) also features the work of set and costume designer Rae Smith , lighting designer Jon Clark , sound designer Nicola T. Chang , movement director Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, composer DJ Walde and casting director Alastair Coomer CDG. They are joined by associate director Aaliyah McKay , associate set designer Tim Blazdell, associate costume designer Johanna Coe , associate lighting designer Hector Murray and associate sound designer Chris Reid . Completing the creative team are, physical comedy advisor Joyce Henderson , intimacy coordinator Ingrid Mackinnon and dialect coach Hazel Holder. Webster’s ‘Wilde party of irresistible anarchic charm’ (★★★★ The Guardian) was first performed in the Lyttelton Theatre from 21 November 2024 until 25 January 2025. Following a sold-out run at the National Theatre, it was subsequently released to cinemas worldwide through National Theatre Live. Over 165,000 people in the UK have watched ‘this joyous production’ (★★★★The i). Over 20,000 tickets are available for under £30 across the upcoming West End run. The Importance of Being Earnest in the West End is supported by American Express, the National Theatre’s Official Payment Partner. A National Theatre production co-produced with Sonia Friedman Productions . In association with No Guarantees , Playing Field and Winkler & Smalberg . Up Up

Back to News & Press Exclusive Behind the Scenes Images for STEREOPHONIC Released, Taken by Renowned Photographer Emilio Madrid Wednesday, 3 September 2025 Available to download HERE . Behind the scenes images of the Stereophonic cast have been released, showing insight into life behind the on-stage recording studio. Taken by celebrated photographer, Emilio Madrid , the images give a behind the scenes ‘sneak peek’ into the celebrated hit play. Stereophonic is written by David Adjmi , directed by Daniel Aukin , and features original music by Will Butler , formerly of Arcade Fire . This ‘fine-grained audacious work’ (The Standard ) grants you intimate fly-on-the-wall access to the discord and disharmony of the creative process. Please click HERE for the latest Stereophonic trailer, featuring the song ‘ Bright ’. Step into the studio with Stereophonic, the hit West End play hailed as ‘an extraordinary, electrifying odyssey’ (The Guardian ) and ‘an instant classic’ (Rolling Stone ). Plug into the electric atmosphere of an up-and-coming rock band recording their second album in 1976. The one that could propel them to superstardom. As the tape rolls, egos flare, relationships break down, tensions run high and something extraordinary takes shape. This is how great art is made. One take at a time. This critically acclaimed masterpiece offers intimate, fly-on-the-wall access to the agony and ecstasy of the creative process. Portraying an ambitious rock band struggling to record their new album are: Zachary Hart as Reg the bass player, Lucy Karczewski (recently nominated for Best Performer in a Play at 2025 The Stage Debut Awards) as Diana the charismatic lead singer, Jack Riddiford as Peter the guitarist and Nia Towle as Holly, the keys player. They are joined by Andrew R. Butler and Eli Gelb as sound engineers Charlie and Grover, and Chris Stack as Simon the drummer, all of whom are reprising their roles from the acclaimed Broadway production. Understudies include Sam Denia (Reg, Charlie, Grover), Rima Georges (Holly), Lucy Gray (Diana) and Steve Shirley (Simon and Peter). Stereophonic originally had its World Premiere at Playwrights Horizons before transferring to Broadway on 3 April 2024. Stereophonic became the most Tony-nominated play ever after receiving a record-breaking 13 nominations. The hit play will next embark on a US tour from October 2025. The Stereophonic creative team includes David Zinn (scenic designer), Enver Chakartash (costume designer), Jiyoun Chang (lighting designer), Will Butler and Justin Craig (Orchestrations), Ryan Rumery (sound designer), Justin Craig (music director) and Robert Pickens & Katie Gell (hair & wig design). UK Casting is by Julia Horan CDG with US Casting by Alaine Alldaffer CSA, Lisa Donadio and Taylor Williams CSA. Stereophonic is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Sue Wagner, John Johnson, Seaview, Linden Productions and Ashley Melone & Nick Mills, and Playwrights Horizons: Adam Greenfield, Leslie Marcus and Carol Fishman. Up Up