Wright’s Mrs Klein revived at Almeida

First Published 15 May 2009, Last Updated 15 May 2009

Director Thea Sharrock will return to the Almeida theatre this autumn to direct the first London revival of Nicholas Wright’s drama Mrs Klein.

The new addition to the Almeida theatre’s autumn season, which runs from 22 October to 5 December (press night 29 October), replaces the previously scheduled production of Samuel Adamson’s new play The Quiet Island.

Living in London in 1934, Melanie Klein is one of the most admired, yet controversial, psychoanalysts of her time, renowned for her unique insight into the secret world of childhood. But her relationship with her psychoanalyst daughter Melitta has been damaged almost beyond repair and an unexpected message from abroad brings it to bitter confrontation. The news also poses a mystery that even Mrs Klein, despite her genius for analysis, cannot solve. It is left to her new assistant, a refugee from Hitler’s Berlin, to find a possible answer.

The drama was first staged at the National Theatre in 1988, when the cast included Gillian Barge, Francesca Annis and Zoe Wanamaker. The show was so successful that it transferred to the West End, yet in the 20 years since, the capital has not seen a major revival.

Sharrock, the former Artistic Director of both the Southwark Playhouse and Gate theatre, previously directed Caryl Churchill’s Cloud Nine at the Almeida theatre in 2007. Her production of As You Like It runs at Shakespeare’s Globe this summer, while her previous West End successes include Equus, Heroes and A Voyage Round My Father.

Further news about casting is expected to be announced soon.

MA

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