Cast announced for Timberlake Wertenbaker's 'The Animals Come to the Table'

Directed by Anthony Lau, the political play follows a group of animals as they summon humanity to the negotiating table, and demand an immediate end to human exploitation and ecological destruction.

Cast and creative team have been revealed for the world premiere of Timberlake Wertenbaker's The Animals Come to the Table, which begins performances at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse in London on 11 December, running through 24 January 2027.

Directed by Anthony Lau (Man and Boy), the political play follows a group of animals as they summon humanity to the negotiating table, and demand an immediate end to human exploitation and ecological destruction.

The cast will include Annette Badland as Bea, Rosalind Ford as Ensemble/Cover, Olivier Huband as Pan, Lydia Larson as Maude, Finbar Lynch as Percy, Simon Manyonda as Tony, Tobias Martin Clarke as Ensemble/Cover, and Alex Young as Anna.

Lau said: “Timberlake is one of the foremost dramatists of contemporary theatre and has written a searing call to arms that examines our human relationship with the natural world. The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse walks the line between past and present, and there could be no more fitting an area in which to wrestle with what the future holds for us all.

"Funny, unnerving, and an exercise of the imaginative near future brought to life, it is a real thrill to collaborate with Timberlake on her new play. It is with real excitement that this play is part of Shakespeare's Globe’s winter season, and it is testament to both the building and Timberlake’s commitment to incendiary drama that entertains and provokes in equal measure."

The creative team also includes Assistant Director Sofia Gallucci, Candlelight Designer Elliot Griggs, Composer Asaf Zohar, Designer Georgia Lowe, Movement Director Aline David, and Voice by Adam Wallis.

Book The Animals Come to the Table tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: The Animals Come to the Table cast. (Courtesy of production)