Marianne Elliott will direct Anne-Marie Duff and Kenneth Cranham in the UK and West End premiere of Simon Stephens’ new two-hander Heisenberg: The Uncertainty Principle this autumn.
The first West End production announced by Elliott, the Olivier and Tony Award-winning director of the National Theatre’s hugely successful productions of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time and War Horse, and producer Chris Harper’s newly formed theatre company, Elliott & Harper Productions, will open at Wyndham’s Theatre on 3 October, running until 6 January 2018 (with press night on Monday 9 October).
Based on the uncertainties in everyday life which bring us together, Heisenberg: The Uncertainty Principle sees two strangers meet by chance amidst the bustle of a crowded London train station – and their lives change forever. Penned by Stephens, who adapted Curious Incident amongst numerous West End hits, the result forms a surprising and life-affirming new play.
Elliott has gathered together many of the Curious Incident creative team for the new production, including designer Bunny Christie, lighting designer Paule Constable, movement director Steven Hoggett and sound designer Ian Dickinson.
Of the play, Stephens said: “I wanted to write about the most unpredictable and exciting woman I could imagine. I wanted to write a play about an older man because I’d never done that before.”
“I wanted to write a play inspired by the way music works in the gaps between notes. I discovered ‘The Uncertainty Principle’ and it struck me that all life is contained within it.”
Elliott previously directed Anne-Marie Duff in Saint Joan for the National Theatre, a role which earned her the Evening Standard Award for Best Actress in 2007, while Kenneth Cranham earned the Olivier Award for Best Actor for his performance in The Father last year.
Tickets go on sale today for Heisenberg: The Uncertainty Principle‘s 14 week limited run, with over 30,000 tickets at under £20.