New Wolsey Theatre and Wiltshire Creative, in association with Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, today announce the full cast and creative team for Noël Coward’s Brief Encounter, adapted for the stage by Emma Rice.
Chief Executive/Artistic Director of New Wolsey Theatre Douglas Rintoul directs Nicola Bryan (Myrtle Bagot), Hanora Kamen (Laura Jesson), Jammy Kasongo (Dr Alec Harvey), Samuel Morgan-Grahame (Albert Godby), Tom Self (Fred Jesson/Stephen Lynn), Lucy Elizabeth Thorburn (Beryl), Luke Thornton (Stanley) and Chioma Uma (Dolly Messiter).
Brief Encounter opens on 4 April at Salisbury Playhouse, with previews from 31 March, and runs until 22 April, before touring to New Wolsey Theatre, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds and finally Northern Stage.
The production features lighting design by Jessie Addinall, sound design by James Cook, set and costume design by Jess Curtis, video design by Daniel Denton, casting by Debbie O’Brien, wardrobe supervision by Margaret Lock and choreography by Alexzandra Sarmiento, with music direction, orchestration and additional music composed by Tom Self.
Douglas Rintoul said today: “I’ve been itching to direct Emma’s adaptation since I saw the original production. It’s a hugely playful and spirited take on the most romantic love story ever told – Emma’s work is thrilling Event Theatre for today’s audiences, so it was a perfect choice for my first big show at the New Wolsey Theatre. I’m thrilled to be working with Wiltshire Creative again and I’m proud that this Ipswich made production will be seen by audiences across the UK with our brilliant partners.”
When a chance encounter in a train station tearoom kindles a timid, yet passionate, love affair between a married doctor and a suburban housewife, the two are forced to question if it’s worth risking everything for the sake of love. Tender and joyous, this show has all the drama of the original masterpiece with added live music, comedy and spectacle, taking you on a rollercoaster ride through all of love’s beautiful complications.
