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Judith Roddy (Young Woman) and Christian Cooke (Pony William) in rehearsal for Knives In Hens (Photo: Marc Brenner)

Judith Roddy (Young Woman) and Christian Cooke (Pony William) in rehearsal for Knives In Hens (Photo: Marc Brenner)

In rehearsal: Knives In Hens

First Published 31 July 2017, Last Updated 2 August 2017

Get a first look at television star Christian Cooke in David Harrower’s haunting and poetic thriller about a ploughman and his wife who become ensnared in a vicious game of power and attraction.

Cooke (Experience, Hampstead Theatre; The Art Of More, Crackle; Stonemouth, BBC) plays Pony William, the ploughman in question, whose simple existence in a pre-industrial time is threatened by the hated local miller’s struggle of knowledge. He stars opposite Judith Roddy (The Plough And The Stars, National Theatre) as Young Woman, and Matt Ryan (Hamlet, West End and Broadway) as Gilbert.

Christian Cooke (Pony William), Judith Roddy (Young Woman) and Matt Ryan (Gilbert) in rehearsal for Knives In Hens (Photo: Marc Brenner)

Christian Cooke (Pony William), Judith Roddy (Young Woman) and Matt Ryan (Gilbert) in rehearsal for Knives In Hens (Photo: Marc Brenner)

Marking multi-award-winning Director Yaël Farber’s debut at the venue, Knives In Hens plays at the Donmar Warehouse this summer, having originally established Harrower as one of the UK’s leading contemporary playwrights.

Farber brings her distinctive style to this tense, modern classic.

Knives In Hens plays at the Donmar Warehouse from Tuesday 17 August – Saturday 7 October. You can book your tickets through the venue’s website.

Director Yaël Farber and choreographer Imogen Knight in rehearsal for Knives In Hens (Photo: Marc Brenner)

Director Yaël Farber and choreographer Imogen Knight in rehearsal for Knives In Hens (Photo: Marc Brenner)

Christian Cooke (Pony William), Judith Roddy (Young Woman) and Matt Ryan (Gilbert) in rehearsal for Knives In Hens (Photo: Marc Brenner)

Christian Cooke (Pony William), Judith Roddy (Young Woman) and Matt Ryan (Gilbert) in rehearsal for Knives In Hens (Photo: Marc Brenner)

Director Yaël Farber in rehearsal for Knives In Hens (Photo: Marc Brenner)

Director Yaël Farber in rehearsal for Knives In Hens (Photo: Marc Brenner)

Judith Roddy (Young Woman) and Christian Cooke (Pony William) in rehearsal for Knives In Hens (Photo: Marc Brenner)

Judith Roddy (Young Woman) and Christian Cooke (Pony William) in rehearsal for Knives In Hens (Photo: Marc Brenner)

Judith Roddy (Young Woman) in rehearsal for Knives In Hens (Photo: Marc Brenner)

Judith Roddy (Young Woman) in rehearsal for Knives In Hens (Photo: Marc Brenner)

Matt Ryan (Gilbert) in rehearsal for Knives In Hens (Photo: Marc Brenner)

Matt Ryan (Gilbert) in rehearsal for Knives In Hens (Photo: Marc Brenner)

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