Full casting has been announced for the Old Vic theatre’s forthcoming production of Hedda Gabler starring Sheridan Smith, with the Olivier Award-winning actor Adrian Scarborough set to play her despised husband.
Directed by Anna Mackmin, the cast also comprises Anne Reid, Buffy Davis, Darrell D’Silva, Daniel Lapaine and Fenella Woolgar.
Playing from 5 September (press night 12 September), Ibsen’s classic masterpiece looks at the conflicts of the requirements of society and those of the individual and explores the corrosive descent of Hedda Gabler (Smith) into the treacherous void between expectation and reality following her unhappy union with new husband George Tesman.
Scarborough reunites with Smith as her respectable but loathed husband following appearances together in comedy series Gavin & Stacey and ITV’s forthcoming drama Mrs Biggs.
The Upstairs Downstairs star boasts extensive credits on stage including Betty Blues Eyes in the West End and The Habit Of Art, Time And The Conways, Henry IV Parts 1 & 2 and After The Dance at the National Theatre, the latter of which earned him his first Olivier Award. The actor is also well known for his film work which includes roles in The King’s Speech, Notes On A Scandal and Vera Drake.
Scarborough’s Upstairs Downstairs co-stars Anne Reid and Buffy Davis will take on the roles of his aunt Juliana Tesman and servant Bertha respectively. Reid’s role follows stage performances in Dimetos at the Donmar Warehouse, Happy Now at the National Theatre and Into The Woods at the Royal Opera House, while Davis is best known for her long-running role in The Arches and is soon to be seen in Joe Wright’s film adaptation of Anna Karenina.
D’Silva, who will play Judge Brack, comes to the Old Vic following his recent leading role in the Almeida theatre’s Children’s Children. The actor’s stage credits also include The White Devil at the Menier Chocolate Factory, The Rose Tattoo and Tales From Vienna Woods at the NT, and numerous leading roles in RSC productions including Anthony And Cleopatra, Julius Caesar and King Lear.
Lapaine is arguably best known for his screen work, having appeared in films Dead In Tombstone and Muriel’s Wedding, and television programmes Identity, Moonshot, Hotel Babylon and Sex, The City And Me. On stage the actor, who will appear as Tesman’s academic nemesis Eilert Lovberg in Mackmin’s production, was most recently seen in Howard Davies’ acclaimed production of All My Sons at the Apollo theatre.
Completing the cast as Thea Elvsted is Woolgar, who returns to the venue following Mackmin’s successful 2010 production of Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing. The actress’s other credits include Time And The Conways and The Veil at the NT, and appearances in films including St Trinian’s, Scoop, WahWah and Vera Drake.
Hedda Gabler will open the Old Vic’s autumn season following its current production Democracy which closes the summer season on 28 July.