Almeida Theatre announces new 2016/17 Season

The Almeida Theatre in north London has now announced full details of its new season which includes two celebrity led Shakespeare titles along with two new plays.

Almeida Artistic Director Rupert Goold introduced the season by saying:

"We're thrilled to present a season of plays which, whether classic drama or new writing, ask the big questions the Almeida is renowned for. How far will someone go for power? And what can one person do about global, international problems?."

Ralph Fiennes and Vanessa Redgrave will star in a new production of Richard III, followed by Andrew Scott and Juliet Stevenson in a revival of Hamlet.

The full season includes:

Richard III
The season will begin with a new production of William Shakespeare's classic history play. The production will run from 7 June to 6 August 2017 , with an official opening on 14 June 2016.

"A peaceful England. Family. Small children. But obstacles can be overcome."

The production will star Ralph Fiennes (Richard III), Vanessa Redgrave (Queen Margaret), David Annen, Tom Canton, James Garnon, Mark Hadfield, Scott Handy, Finbar Lynch, Aislin McGuckin, Joseph Mydell, Joshua Riley, Lukas Rolfe and Joanna Vanderham.

Directed by Rupert Goold, it will feature design by Hildegard Bechtler, lighting by Jon Clark and costume by Jon Morrell.

They Drink It In the Congo
Michael Longhurst will direct a new play by Adam Brace which run from 12 August to 1 October 2016, with an official opening on 19 August.

"What can we do for the worst thing in the world? The Congo. Home to the deadliest conflict since World War II. London. Home to a festival to raise awareness of the Congo. (That is, if Stef can get the festival off the ground.)"

The production will feature design by Jon Bauser, sound by Giles Thomas and lighting by Jack Knowles.

Oil
A new play by Ella Hickson will be directed by Carrie Cracknell with design by Vicki Mortimer, sound by Peter Rice, lighting by Lucy Carter and movement by Joseph Alford. It will run from 7 October to 26 November 2016 with an official opening on 14 October.

"The Stone Age. The Bronze Age. The Iron Age. The Age of Oil. The Stone Age didn't end for want of stones. One woman and her daughter. What do you do when you know it's going to run out?"

Hamlet
Robert Icke will direct a new production of Shakespeare's classic play starring Andrew Scott as Hamlet and Juliet Stevenson as Gertrude. It will feature design by Hildegard Bechtler, sound by Tom Gibbons and lighting by Natasha Chivers.

The production is expected to open in February 2017.

Tickets for the first three productions will go on sale to the public on 12 May 2016. Tickets for Hamlet will go on sale in Autumn 2016.