Stratford East has announced the full cast for the world premiere of Ava Pickett’s Bloodsport: After Helen of Troy, which runs from 3 September to 10 October 2026, with a press night on 10 September.
Directed by Stratford East Artistic Director Lisa Spirling, the new play stars the previously announced Michelle Dockery as Helen and Laura Aikman as Cee.
Joining them will be Olivier Award winner Maimuna Memon as Dani, Gerard Monaco as Mario, Ethan Moorhouse as Messenger, Emma Monnickendam as Hermione, Jay Taylor as Marcus, Ellie Turner as Woman and Joshua-Alexander Williams as Luke.
Described as a story about friendship, motherhood and the consequences of choice, the play reimagines the aftermath of one of mythology’s most infamous wars.
The synopsis reads: “Years after she walked out on her family, Helen has returned home after a war fought in her name. Her husband celebrates, her childhood friend Cee does not. Over the course of this first fragile night of peace time, wounds reopen, loyalties fracture and the true cost of a woman’s choice to leave her life is made clear.”
It continues: “A play about friendship, motherhood, and what happens when the woman whose face started a war, returns home to finish it.”
The production marks the latest work from award-winning writer Ava Pickett, whose debut play 1536 transferred to the West End after its acclaimed premiere at the Almeida Theatre. The play was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best New Play and won the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, among numerous other accolades.
The creative team includes set and costume designer Polly Sullivan, lighting designer Zeynep Kepekli, sound designer and composer Nicola T. Chang, movement director Kloé Dean, casting director Juliet Horsley CDG and dramaturg Ed Madden.
Bloodsport: After Helen of Troy is supported by Eleanor Lloyd Productions, Eilene Davidson Productions and Cockayne Grants for the Arts, a Donor Advised Fund held at The Prism Charitable Trust.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
