Casting confirmed for "Period of Adjustment" at Almeida

Casting confirmed for "Period of Adjustment" at Almeida

Casting has been confirmed for Period of Adjustment
by Tennessee Williams, which opens at the Almeida Theatre on 16 March 2006, following previews from 9 March, and booking to 29 April2006.

The cast includes: Benedict Cumberbatch (George), Lisa Dillon (Isabel), Jared Harris (Ralph) , Sandy McDade (Dorothea).

Directed by Howard Davies, designed by Mike Brittons, lighting by Mark Henderson, sound is by Paul Groothuis and music by Paddy Cunneen

Korean war veteran George Haverstick hastily marries Isabel, whom he met in hospital while he was recovering from a nervous condition. To Isabel's horror, they drive to Florida on their honeymoon in an old hearse. They spend much of the time quarreling, and then, on Christmas Eve, they visit George's war buddy Ralph Baltz. Ralph's wife Dorothea has just walked out on him, taking their child. A tangled and explosively funny 24 hours ensues.

Benedict Cumberbatch returns to the Almeida. His theatre work includes, for the Almeida, Trevor Nunn's production of The Lady from the Sea and Richard Eyre's production of Hedda Gabler, which transferred to the West End and for which he has been nominated for an Olivier Award. His other theatre work includes Oh! What a Lovely War, As You Like It and A Midsummer Night's Dream for the New Shakespeare Company. His film work includes Amazing Grace, Starter for Ten, To Kill A King and Hills Like White Elephants. On television he played the title role in Hawking as well as performing in Broken News, To The Ends of the Earth, Forty Something, Cambridge Spies and Tipping the Velvet.

Lisa Dillon returns to the Almeida - she previously played Thea Elvsted in Richard Eyre's production of Hedda Gabler. Her other theatre work includes Hilde Wangle in Anthony Page's production of The Master Builder and the title role in Anna Mackmin's production of Iphegenia for Sheffield Theatres, winning the 2004 Ian Charleson Award for Outstanding Newcomer and the Critics' Circle Most Promising Newcomer Award for both roles. Her other professional theatre work includes Desdemona in Greg Doran's production of Othello for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her television and film work includes Cambridge Spies, Hawking and Bright Young Things.

Jared Harris makes his Almeida stage debut. His London theatre work includes Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet and The Silent Woman for the Royal Shakespeare Company and, most recently, Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the Playhouse. In New York his theatre work includes King Lear and Henry IV Parts 1 & 2 for the New York Shakespeare Festival. His film work includes Ocean's Twelve, The Ballad of Bettie Page and Sylvia and his television work includes The Coup, To the Ends of the Earth and The Other Boleyn Girl.

Sandy McDade'stheatre work includes Iron for the Royal Court and Traverse Theatre, Tears from a Glass Eye at The Gate, The House of Bernada Alba for Shared Experience and As I Lay Dying and Twelfth Night for the Young Vic. Her extensive National Theatre work includes A Prayer for Owen Meaney, The Skriker and Ghetto. Her film work includes Mrs Henderson Presents, One Last Chance and Restoration and on television she has been seen in Teachers, Uncle Silas and Down To Earth.