Reece Shearsmith and Jessica Hynes have been announced as the latest performers to take part in the 15th anniversary West End run of White Rabbit Red Rabbit at the Duchess Theatre.
The acclaimed theatrical experiment by Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour will conclude its limited run on 14 December 2026, with Olivier Award nominee Shearsmith and double BAFTA winner Hynes joining the final line-up of guest performers.
Hynes, best known for Spaced and W1A, will make her first theatre appearance in more than five years when she performs on 30 November. She will be followed by Shearsmith, known for The League of Gentlemen and Inside No.9, who takes the stage for the production’s final performance on 14 December.
As previously announced, House of the Dragon and Slow Horses star Olivia Cooke will appear in the production on 23 November.
Presented by There & Then in association with Nica Burns, White Rabbit Red Rabbit sees a different performer take to the stage each night without rehearsal, direction or prior access to the script. Each participant is handed a sealed envelope containing a text they have never seen before and performs it for the first and only time in front of a live audience.
Since its premiere in 2011, the play has been performed more than 4,000 times and translated into over 25 languages. Written while Soleimanpour was unable to leave Iran, the work explores themes of obedience, freedom of expression and the relationship between performer and audience.
The anniversary season also marks the inaugural production from There & Then, the new theatre company founded by Soleimanpour and director Omar Elerian. The season has featured a host of high-profile performers, including David Tennant, Jodie Whittaker, Riz Ahmed, Joe Lycett, Christopher Eccleston and Steve Pemberton.
There & Then has been established to create bold and innovative theatre in the UK and internationally, while supporting artists and communities who seek to challenge traditional approaches to performance.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.Â
