Peter Gill will direct a rehearsed reading of John Arden’s classic play Sergeant Musgrave’s Dance at the Royal Court theatre on Sunday in memory of the late playwright.
Taking place in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at 17:00, Arden’s anti-war play will be brought to life by an esteemed cast including Ian Burfield, Brendan Coyle, Ben Dilloway, Nicholas Gleaves, Tony Haygarth, Philip Jackson, Sarah Lancashire, Robert Lonsdale, James Mcardle, Ian Mercer, Clive Merrison, Kate O’Flynn, Stephen Rashbrook, John Savident, Tony Turner and Mark Weinman.
Sergeant Musgrave’s Dance, which opened at the acclaimed Sloane Square venue in 1959, tells the story of four Victorian soldiers who desert an imperialist war overseas. After witnessing a terrible act of colonial violence, they arrive in a northern coal mining town intending to seek revenge.
A former Associate Director of the Royal Court, Gill’s most recent directing credits include Making Noise Quietly and his own play Small Change at the Donmar Warehouse.
Arden, whose other plays include Live Like Pigs and This Happy Haven, both of which were also staged at the Royal Court, died earlier this year aged 81.