The New Vic Theatre has announced full casting for its world premiere production of The Grand Babylon Hotel, a riotous comedy thriller by Arnold Bennett.
Running from Saturday 13 September to Saturday 4 October, the production is presented in association with Claybody Theatre and features a cast of five actors playing multiple roles.
Adapted for the stage by award-winning playwright Deborah McAndrew, The Grand Babylon Hotel will be directed by UK Theatre Award Best Director nominee Conrad Nelson (One Man Two Guvnors, The Card, Bright Lights Over Bentilee, The Dipping House).
The cast includes Shelley Atkinson (The Wicked Lady, Martha, Josie and The Chinese Elvis) as Miss Spencer (AKA Baroness Zerlinski) and Nanny Heidi.
Thomas Cotran (One Man Two Guvnors, Love Labour’s Lost) will play Reginald Dimmock, Prince Aribert of Posen and Rocco (AKA Eli Stone).
Michael Hugo (Marvellous, Tom, Dick & Harry) takes on the roles of Jules (AKA Tom Jackson), Detective Marshall and Prince Eugen of Posen.
Adrian Pang (Salesman in China, People, Places & Things, Hamlet, Macbeth) will play Theodore Racksole, while Alice Pryor (Bleached, Inferna, Much Ado About Nothing) appears as Nella Racksole.
Born in Stoke-on-Trent, Arnold Bennett was one of Britain’s most influential early 20th-century writers. This new adaptation of The Grand Babylon Hotel blends satire, espionage and comedy, bringing Bennett’s only thriller to the stage for the first time.
Director Conrad Nelson said:
“First serialised in 1901 Arnold Bennett’s The Grand Babylon Hotel was noted as being, ‘excellent in mingling farce with characterisation’. Three films were made in the first part of the 20th century but with a review like that you know that it’s a novel made for the theatre.
Bennett may have longed for critical recognition of a first ‘serious’ novel but he knew the value of work with broad appeal and a plot based on a steak, a bottle of Bass and a self-made American Millionaire. I’m thrilled to bring this unashamedly popular work to the stage – it’s a fun, fast-paced caper and a good night out.”
The Grand Babylon Hotel tells the story of Nella Racksole, whose father buys an entire hotel to fulfil her birthday wish. But the luxury establishment hides secrets, and the Racksoles soon find themselves entangled in a web of mystery and danger.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
