Nick Payne's Wanderlust: Cast Announced

PRESS RELEASE

Thursday 5 August 2010

Wanderlust
By Nick Payne
Directed by Simon Godwin
9 Sep – 9 Oct 2010
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, Royal Court Theatre
Press Night, Wed 15 Sep 2010 7pm

Wanderlust, a new play about sex and intimacy by emerging playwright Nick Payne opens in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court on 15 Sep (previews from 9 Sep).

“Sex isn’t just about how big and how long.
Isn’t it?
No.
What is it about then?
All sorts of things.”

Joy is a married woman, a GP, and struggling to remain interested in sex.
Her husband Alan, however, thinks of little else.
And their teenage son Tim is ready to burst.

Nick Payne’s frank, compassionate and open play about sex and intimacy – and whether the two have any relation to each other – marks his Royal Court debut. A graduate of the Young Writers Programme, his credits include If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet at the Bush Theatre. He was the winner of the George Devine Award in 2009.

The cast includes Siân Brooke, Charles Edwards, Pippa Haywood, Isabella Laughland, Stuart McQuarrie, James Musgrave and Howard Ward.

Siân Brooke’s credits include Dido, Queen of Carthage at the National Theatre, The Wizard of Oz at the Royal Festival Hall, The Birthday Party at the Lyric Hammersmith, In the City at Hampstead and Dying City and Harvest at the Royal Court Theatre. On TV, she has appeared in All About George in 2005 and Cape Wrath in 2007.

Charles Edwards’ credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Rose Theatre, Kingston, Apple Cart and The Browning Version for the Peter Hall Company and was Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps in the West End and on Broadway. His film and television credits include An Ideal Husband, Monarch of the Glen, Mansfield Park and Waking the Dead. He is due to appear in Twelfth Night at the National Theatre in 2011.

Pippa Haywood’s recent theatre credits include House and Garden at Salisbury Playhouse, Landscape with Weapon at the National Theatre. On television, she is best known for comedy series Green Wing, Fear Stress and Anger and The Brittas Empire.

Isabella Laughland’s credits include Leanne in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

Stuart McQuarrie’s credits include Relocated and Cleansed at the Royal Court, Marble at the Abbey Theatre, Happy Now? at the National Theatre, Anthony Neilson’s Realism at the National Theatre of Scotland, God of Hell at the Donmar. His film and television credits include 28 Days Later, Traisnpotting, A Very Social Secretary and Peep Show.

James Musgrave’s credits include The Browning Version at Theatre Royal Bath and will appear in a new adaptation of William Boyd’s best-selling novel, Any Human Heart, for Channel 4 later this year.

Howard Ward’s credits include the RSC’s Shakespeare in a Suitcase, Warhorse at the National Theatre and in the West End, The English Game at Headlong Theatre, Heartbreak House at Watford and How Long is Never? at the Tricycle.

Simon Godwin will direct. His recent credits include Far Away at Bristol Old Vic, The Winter’s Tale for Headlong and the Nuffield Theatre Southampton, Mister Heracles at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. As Associate Director of the Royal and Derngate Theatres in Northampton under Artistic Director Rupert Goold, Simon directed seven main stage shows. He also directed work as part of the Royal Court 2008 International Residency.

Wanderlust will be directed by Simon Godwin, designed by Robert Innes Hopkins with lighting by James Farncombe, sound by Alexander Caplen, music by Tom Mills and movement by Aline David.

Contains nudity and scenes of a sexual nature.

Wanderlust will run in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs from 9 Sep until 9 Oct 2010. Tickets available online at www.royalcourttheatre.com or from the Box Office on 020 7565 5000. – ends –
(05/08/10)

Notes to Editors:

For further information please contact Anna Evans in the Royal Court Press Office on
020 7565 5063 or e-mail annaevans@royalcourttheatre.com.

Cast:

Siân Brooke Clare Walsh
Charles Edwards Stephen Moore
Pippa Haywood Joy Richards
Isabella Laughland Michelle
Stuart McQuarrie Alan Richards
James Musgrave Tim Richards
Howard Ward Neil Waters

Creative Team

Director Simon Godwin
Designer Robert Innes Hopkins
Lighting James Farncombe
Sound Alexander Caplen
Composer Tom Mills
Movement Director Aline David

£10 Mondays
This autumn, the Royal Court will be working in partnership with French Wines, through sponsorship of the successful and long-standing programme of great value, accessible tickets for Monday performances. The £10 Mondays scheme has introduced generations of new theatre audiences to ground-breaking new plays for many years and this new partnership will keep this tradition alive. The Royal Court has an international reputation for innovation, excellence and diversity, all qualities that French wines are also renowned for. During the autumn season, the Royal Court Café Bar will offer an extensive wine list made up exclusively of French wines.

Listings Information:

Wanderlust
By Nick Payne
Directed by Simon Godwin
9 Sep – 9 Oct 2010
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Press Night, Wed 15 Sep 2010 7pm

9 Sep – 9 Oct 2010
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Mon-Sat 7.45pm
Sat mats 4pm (from 18 Sep)
Thu mat 7 Oct 4pm
Press night Wed 15 Sep 7pm
Post-show discussion Tue 28 Sep
Audio described performance Sat 9 Oct, 4pm
Age guidance 16+

Tickets £15
Mondays all seats £10
Concessions £10* (avail. in advance until 18 Sep incl. and all mats. For all other perfs, avail. on a standby basis on the day)
School and HE Groups of 8+ £7.50 (avail. Tue-Fri and mats)
Access £10 (plus a companion at the same rate)

• ID required, not bookable online. All discounts are subject to availability.