The Royal Court Theatre has announced a stellar new line-up of performers for the return of ECHO (Every Cold-Hearted Oxygen), the critically acclaimed production by Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour.
Directed by Omar Elerian, this innovative show sees a different performer take to the stage each night, without rehearsal or prior knowledge of the script.
Following a sold-out run in 2024, ECHO (Every Cold-Hearted Oxygen) returns to the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs from Friday 27 June to Saturday 5 July 2025.
Among the newly announced performers are Lolly Adefope, Milly Alcock, James Corden, Mel Giedroyc, Daniel Kaluuya, Nish Kumar, Simon McBurney, Reece Shearsmith, Juliet Stevenson and Dominic West.
Reece Shearsmith will open the run on 27 June, followed by Daniel Kaluuya on 28 June (6.30pm), James Corden on 30 June, and Dominic West on 1 July.
Lolly Adefope takes the stage on 2 July, with Nish Kumar and Milly Alcock performing at 2.30pm and 7.30pm respectively on 3 July.
Mel Giedroyc performs on 4 July, while Simon McBurney and Juliet Stevenson close the run on 5 July at 1.30pm and 6.30pm respectively. A final guest performer is yet to be announced.
The production explores themes of home, identity and connection, with Soleimanpour guiding each performance live from his flat in Berlin.
“ECHO asks us to confront what it feels like to be an immigrant in time, as much as in space,” says the production team.
The creative team includes Derek Richards (Creative Technologist, Video & Production Designer), Jackie Shemesh (Lighting Designer), Anna Clock (Composer & Sound Designer), Kirsty Housley (Dramaturgy), Immanuel Bartz (Dramaturgy and Creative Producer), Stewart Pringle (Script Editor), and casting by Amy Ball CDG and Arthur Carrington.
An NSP production, ECHO is co-produced by LIFT and the Royal Court Theatre, alongside international partners including Staatstheater Mainz, Riksteatern (Sweden), Why Not Theatre (Toronto), and others.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
