Casting announced for Royal Court's Rita, Sue and Bob Too

Casting has been announced for Max Stafford-Clark's production or Rita, Sue and Bob Too at the Royal Court.

Andrea Dunbar's play is about two friends - Bob and Sue - who get a lift home from Bob, a married man, after babysitting his children. Bob takes the longer route, and the three of them decide to have some fun, starting a fling they struggle to keep under control.

The cast of the production will feature James Atherton, Taj Atwal, Sally Bankes, Gemma Dobson, Samantha Robinson and David Walker.

Rita, Sue ad Bob Too initially opens in Bolton in September, and is produced by the Royal Court, the Octagon Theatre and touring company Out of Joint. It runs at the Royal Court from 9th to 27th January. 

The production will have design by Tim Shortall, lighting by Jason Taylor and sound by Emma Laxton.

Director Max Stafford-Clark, who directed the original production of the play, said: "It's one of the privileges of my career that Andrea's astute, fresh and funny writing reached my desk, and it is exciting to bring her vivid, albeit alarming world to life again with these fine actors."

James Atherton (Bob) has previously appeared in Crocodiles at the Royal Exchange, Manchester, and Treasure Island in the West End. Rita will be played by Taj Atwel whose credits include Educating Rita (Hull Truck Theatre) and East is East in the West End. Gemma Dobson plays Sue, and this play is her professional stage debut.

Rita, Sue and Bob Too is part of the Royal Court's new season which also features the plays Minefield, Bad Roads and Goats. Read more about the new season in full by clicking here.