All About Eve in London to star Gillian Anderson and Lily James: details confirmed

Details have been confirmed for the upcoming West End production of All About Eve at the Noel Coward Theatre, which is set to star Gillian Anderson and Lily James.

Directed by Ivo van Hove, All About Eve will be an adaptation of the classic 1950 film of the same name, which follows a highly-regarded acting star and a young fan.

It will run at the Noel Coward Theatre from 2^nd February to 11^th May 2019, with tickets on sale from next Friday, 28^th September. There will be an official opening night on 12^th February.

Anderson, who is probably best-known for playing Agent Scully in the US TV series The X Files, will play Broadway star Margo Channing, a successful actor who is worried that turning 40 will affect her career. James will play Eve Harrington, a fan who becomes obsessed with the actress to the point where she is hired as an assistant by Channing, before Eve imposes herself on her idol's life even more. 

The cast also includes Monica Dolan as Karen, Sheila Reid as Birdie and Rhashan Stone as Lloyd. Further casting is set to be announced soon. 

On stage, Anderson's credits include her Olivier-nominated portrayals of Blanch DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire (Young Vic) and Nora in Ibsen's A Doll's House (Donmar Warehouse). Her major screen credits include The House of Mirth, The Mighty Celt, Bleak House and Any Human Heart.

James starred in the ITV period drama Downton Abbey for four years as Lady Rose MacClare, and had her first major film role as the eponymous character in Disney's 2015 live-action remake of Cinderella directed, by Kenneth Branagh. On stage, her roles include Juliet in Romeo and Juliet as part of Branagh's season at the Garrick Theatre, Nina in The Seagull (Southwark Playhouse), and Taylor in Rufus Norris' production of Vernon God Little (Young Vic).

Ivo van Hove's recent work includes directing Lee Hall's stage adaptation of the film Network, starring Bryan Cranston, David Bowie musical Lazarus, an Olivier Award-winning production of Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge, and Obsession, starring Jude Law at the Barbican.

The piece will have set and lighting design from Jan Versweyveld, costume design by An D'Huys, music PJ Harvey, and Tom Gibbons' sound design.

Directed by Joseph L Mankiewicz, All About Eve starred Bette Davis as Margo Channing and Anne Baxter as Eve Harrington, as well as a then-little-known Marilyn Monroe. It won six Academy Awards including best picture, and went on to provide inspiration for the Broadway musical Applause.

All About  Eve will run at the Noel Coward Theatre from 2^nd February to 11^th May 2019.

All About Eve tickets go on sale on Friday, 28^th September.

_{Images courtesy: Gage Skidmore (flickr and flickr)}