‘Daddy’ and ‘The House of Shades’ set new dates at Almeida Theatre

The plays will be staged as part of the Almeida's spring 2022 season.

The Almeida Theatre have announced four productions as part of the theatre's spring 2022 season. Upcoming shows include "Daddy" A Melodrama and The House of Shades — both shows postponed at the start of the pandemic. 

The Olivier Award-winning actress Kathryn Hunter will lead the cast of a new version of Eugène Ionesco's The Chairs, which is newly translated, adapted and directed by Omar Elerian. The Chairs follows an old man and woman who prepare chairs for a special audience. The Chairs cast is completed by Marcello Magni and Toby Sedgwick, and The Chairs creative team includes scenic design by Cécile Trémolières, and lighting design by Jackie Shemesh. The Chairs begins previews on 5 February, with an opening night on 10 February and performances to 5 March.

The Key Workers Cycle will then be staged at the Almeida Theatre from 9 - 12 March. The collection of new plays will champion the locals that keep our daily lives running, told through new plays by Francesca Beard, Sonali Bhattacharyya, Josh Elliott, Annie Jenkins, Eno Mfon, Nessah Muthy, Danusia Samal, Yomi Ṣode and Molly Taylor.

Jeremy O. Harris' "Daddy" A Melodrama will receive its UK premiere at the Almeida Theatre in spring 2022. Danya Taymor directs the play, which follows a young black artist form a bond with an older, white art collector. "Daddy" casting is to be announced, but the "Daddy" creative team includes scenic design by Matt Saunders, costume design by Montana Levi Blanco, lighting design by Isabella Byrd and sound design by Lee Kinney. "Daddy" begins previews on 26 March, with an opening night on 5 April and performances to 30 April.

In May 2022, Anne-Marie Duff leads the cast of Beth Steel's The House of Shades. Blanche McIntyre directs the drama, which follows the Webster family over five decades. The House of Shades cast also stars Beatie Edney, Natalie Gavin, Carol Macready, Mark Meadows, Daniel Millar and Issie Riley. Anna Fleischle provides set design, with costume design by Liam Bunster, lighting design by Richard Howell and sound design by Gregory Clarke. The House of Shades begins previews on 7 May, with an opening night on 17 May and performances to 18 June.

The Almeida Theatre is currently home to The Tragedy of Macbeth starring Saoirse Ronan. Spring Awakening will then open in December.

^{Photo credit: Almeida Theatre (Photo by Nigel Paine on Flickr)}