Birdsong - casting announced
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
BEN BARNES will play Stephen Wraysford in the stage adaptation of Sebastian Faulks’ best-selling 1993 novel Birdsong, which opens at the Comedy Theatre on September 28, 2010 (previews from September 18).
Barnes was last seen on the London stage as Dakin in The History Boys at the National Theatre.
His film credits include the role of Prince Caspian in two of the Chronicles of Narnia films: Prince Caspian and the soon to be released The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, as well as Oliver Parker’s Dorian Gray (title role), Stardust and Easy Virtue.
He will be joined in the cast of Birdsong by Genevieve O’Reilly (Sarah Caulfield in Spooks) as love interest Isabelle, Nicholas Farrell as Rene Azaire, Iain Mitchell as Berard, Lee Ross as Jack Firebrace and Zoe Waites as Jeanne.
They in turn will be joined by Owain Arthur, Billy Carter, Florence Hall, Paul Hawkyard, Gregg Lowe, Joe Coen, Jack Hawkins, James Staddon and Annabel Topham.
Previously posted: This autumn, a stage adaptation of Sebastian Faulks’ best-selling 1993 novel, Birdsong, will receive its world premiere at the Comedy Theatre.
Faulks’ first novel to be staged, Birdsong will run for a limited season – from September 28, 2010 (previews from September 18) to January 15, 2011.
Birdsong focuses on Stephen Wraysford at two different stages of his life – before and during World War I – and is part of a trilogy, which includes The Girl at the Lion d’Or and Charlotte Gray. All three are linked through location, history and several minor characters.
The production will be directed by Trevor Nunn who, from 1968 to 1986, was Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he directed over thirty productions including most of the Shakespeare canon. From 1997 to 2003, he was Director of the National Theatre, directing twenty-one shows including Tom Stoppard’s The Coast of Utopia and award-winning revivals of Oklahoma and My Fair Lady.
His more recent theatre productions include Hamlet and Richard II (Old Vic), The Royal Hunt of the Sun (National Theatre), King Lear (Royal Shakespeare Company’s Complete Works Festival), Porgy and Bess (Savoy Theatre), Tom Stoppard’s multi award-winning Rock ‘n’ Roll (Royal Court and Duke of York’s Theatres), the ill-fated musical version of Gone with the Wind (New London Theatre) and A Little Night Music (Menier Chocolate Factory and West End).
In July, he returns to the Menier Chocolate Factory to direct a revival of Aspects of Love. His other work includes Cats, Starlight Express, Chess, Sunset Boulevard and The Woman in White.
Birdsong will mark the West End debut of producer Becky Barber, the first recipient of a £25,000 cheque from Stage One’s Start Up Fund For New Producers, who will be co-producing with CMP Productions.
Birdsong has been adapted for stage by Rachel Wagstaff who previously adapted The Girl at the Lion d’Or for BBC Radio 4. Her other stage work includes Only the Brave and The Soldier.
La Bête continues at the Comedy Theatre until September 4, 2010.