London Theatre Company has announced a new production of Ivanov, written and directed by Simon Stone (after Anton Chekhov), opening at the Bridge Theatre in July 2026. The production will star Chris Pine in his London stage debut as Nikolai Ivanov.
Previews begin Saturday 4 July 2026, with opening night scheduled for Tuesday 14 July. The run will continue for 11 weeks until Saturday 19 September 2026.
Simon Stone, known for his radical reimaginings of classic texts, returns to the Bridge Theatre following The Lady from the Sea, currently playing until 8 November. On directing Ivanov, Stone said:
“Chekhov is the master of finding the humour in our suffering and the crisis lurking underneath our joy. A mercurial magician of character drama, he elevates the seemingly banal to the sublime and then pops the balloon just as it’s getting too poetic. As the mighty Jean Renoir said in his film The Rules of the Game, ‘everyone has their reasons’. During his career as a doctor Chekhov developed a deep empathy and curiosity for his fellow human, and his writing beats with the heart of a great humanist. The characters are gifts to complex, versatile actors: existence writ messily and lovingly, an ode to imperfection.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to The Bridge for my second outing after the wonderful experience of The Lady from the Sea. The space couldn’t be more perfect for Chekhov: the tension between the modern and the historic is embodied in the building and its location. This pioneer of cross-generational drama wanted his plays to be a jousting match between the past and the future, a space to examine who we have been, are and will become. He also knew that great entertainment had to have true existential reflection underpinning it and that philosophy and politics are meaningless without a dose of irony to keep us sane. The perfect mixture of comedy and tragedy.
“After admiring Chris from afar for a long time it was a delight to discover that not only is he a thespian from way back but he’s uniquely sensitive and brilliantly intelligent too. I’ve seen in his work how hilarious he can be but also how moving: you can’t do Chekhov without both. Ivanov is the most knotty of his male characters, a challenge and a gift. I just can’t wait to unleash Chris’ version on London audiences!”
Chris Pine, known for his roles in Star Trek, Hell or High Water, and Wonder Woman, has previously appeared on stage in the US in The Atheist, Fat Pig, Farragut North, and The Lieutenant of Inishmore.
On joining the production, Pine said:
“I’m delighted to be collaborating with Simon on his new production of Chehkov’s Ivanov. I’m excited to bring this complex character and story to life and to take part in Simon’s singular creative process. It’s been over ten years since I was on stage and to be able to return to it in London at the beautiful Bridge Theatre is a thrill. I can’t wait to start.”
The story follows Nikolai Ivanov, a man who seems to have it all—career, marriage, and status—but finds himself spiralling into existential crisis. As debts mount and his wife’s health deteriorates, he struggles to hold his life together.
The creative team includes set designer Lizzie Clachan, costume designer Mel Page, composition and sound designer Stefan Gregory, lighting designer Nick Schlieper, and casting director Jessica Ronane CDG. Further casting is to be announced.
Ivanov is produced by London Theatre Company and Wouter van Ransbeek.
More information can be found here.
