The Woods, David Mamet’s 1977 ‘battle of the sexes’ play gets its first UK revival in 21 years, directed by Russell Bolam.
Nick and Ruth are spending the weekend at a remote cabin in the woods. They push their relationship to breaking point in a night of stories and fights, only to rediscover their need for one another in the morning, but the final reconciliation remains uncomfortably tempered by the violent core we now know to be hiding beneath.
The Woods stars Francesca Carpanini as Ruth and Sam Frenchum as Nick.
Francesca Carpanini is an American actress. ‘The Woods’ will mark her UK debut. Her Broadway roles include Ann Deever in Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of ‘All My Sons’ alongside Annette Bening and Tracy Letts, and Alexandra Giddens in ‘The Little Foxes’ alongside Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon. Other theatre includes: Miranda in ‘The Tempest’ (Shakespeare in the Park); Chris in ‘Dead Poet’s Society’ (Classic Stage Company). Francesca also appeared in ‘The Good Wife’ for CBS.
Sam Frenchum has just finished shooting the second series of ‘Bridgerton’ for Netflix. He also starred as series regular Gary Bell in the second season of ‘Grantchester.’ Theatre includes: ‘Valued Friends’ (Rose Theatre, Kingston); Mersault in Ben Okri’s adaptation of Camus’ ‘The Outsider’ (The Print Room); ‘Love From A Stranger’ (Royal & Derngate Theatre); and Hal in ‘Loot’ (Park Theatre/The Watermill).
The Woods reunites producer Danielle Tarento with director Russell Bolam and set and costume designer Anthony Lamble after they worked together on Anya Reiss’s critically acclaimed adaptation of ‘Three Sisters’, also at Southwark Playhouse. Bolam’s 2012 production of Philip Ridley’s ‘Shivered’ was nominated for the Whatsonstage Best Off-West End Production Award, OFFIE nominated for Best New Play, OFFIE long-listed for Best Production and Best Director.
The Woods is at Southwark Playhouse from Thursday 24 February to Saturday 26 March, 2022.
