The Young Vic has confirmed full casting for CARE, written and directed by internationally acclaimed theatre-maker Alexander Zeldin. The production marks his Young Vic debut and follows a single mum, her two children, and their grandmother in a tender and revealing look at family life.
Linda Bassett leads the cast as Joan, joined by Hayley Carmichael, Rosie Cavaliero, Richard Durden, Aoife Gaston, Llewella Gideon and William Lawlor. Ethan Mahony and Charlie Webb will share the role of Robbie. The company also includes community participants from the Young Vic’s Taking Part programme.
Zeldin’s recent work includes LOVE, The Confessions and The Other Place, which transferred to The Shed in New York after its run at the National Theatre. He brings his distinctive empathetic storytelling to CARE, which runs in the Young Vic Main House from 11 May to 11 July, with press night on 19 May.
Alexander Zeldin said: “Theatre is uniquely able to bring us closer to our lives, to the reality that we are in but don’t always want to see. CARE is about how, when confronted with the end of life, we come to see life with a new intensity, a new feeling and ultimately a new energy. This subject, of an elderly parent, spouse, sister, brother reaching the end of their life is at the heart of all of our lives. We will, we have, or we are experiencing it. The Young Vic’s space has been an inspiration to me for years, I spent my twenties in awe of the work I discovered there, it is uniquely democratic, open, warm. It is a place we can go to be transformed. To collaborate with Linda Bassett, a true great of British theatre, and be part of Nadia Fall’s ambitious inaugural season, alongside our wonderful group of creatives and actors and co-produced by A Zeldin Company is very exciting.”
Nadia Fall, Artistic Director of the Young Vic, said: “Alexander Zeldin is one of our finest directors and a true auteur. I’m delighted to welcome him to the Young Vic with CARE, which looks at ageing and life in a delicately affecting, yet uplifting way. It’s a finely drawn and disarmingly recognisable family portrait that reveals how three different generations of one family interact; grappling with change and conflict but where love is ever present. Whatever stage of life we’re in, I think we can all find something of ourselves in this play. It brings together a brilliant cast which includes our Neighbourhood Theatre and promises to be a truly special and intimate production.”
The play explores the journey of a grandmother suddenly moved into a care home, where new relationships and unexpected moments of happiness slowly shift her perspective on life. Between loneliness and loss, the family discovers where joy can be found.
The creative team includes Set Designer Rosanna Vize, Costume Designer Natasha Jenkins, Lighting Designer James Farncombe, Sound Designer Josh Anio Grigg, Movement Director Marcin Rudy, Casting Director Jacob Sparrow, Intimacy Director Katharine Hardman for EK Intimacy, Fight Director Sam Lyon-Behan, Voice Coach Carol Fairlamb, Dramatherapist Patricia Ojehonmon, Costume Supervisor Caroline McCall, Props Supervisor Laura Flowers and Associate Director Kaleya Baxe.
CARE is the final Main House production in Nadia Fall’s inaugural season and is co-produced with A Zeldin Company. It is adapted from Zeldin’s Une Mort dans la Famille, first staged at Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe in Paris.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
