Douglas Booth and Tony Revolori lead Speech and Debate at Trafalgar Studios

Initial casting announced.

Initial casting has been announced for the UK première of Speech and Debate by Stephen Karam which runs at Trafalgar Studios 2 from 22 February to 1 April 2017, with an official opening on 24 February 2017.

Douglas Booth and Tony Revolori will star in the production directed by Tom Attenborough, with further casting to be announced.

"They may go to the same high school, but misfits Solomon, Diwata and Howie have never met and their peers just don't take them seriously.... until a sex scandal involving one of their teachers brings them together. By creating a Speech and Debate team they finally have a chance to be heard, but will they be able to get their interpretive dance version of The Crucible ready in time for the big day?!"

Described as a 'hilarious' play that grapples with serious modern social issues, homophobia, teenage alienation and the limits of online privacy, Speech and Debate is Karam's first play to be produced in the UK. It premièred at the Roundabout Theatre Company, has received more than 150 productions in the US, and 2017 will see the release of a film version, written by Karam.

Douglas Booth's theatre work includes 24 Hour Plays (Old Vic). His television credits include And Then There Were None, Great Expectations, Christopher and his Kind and Worried About The Boy; and for film, The Riot Club, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Jupiter Ascending, Noah.

Tony Revolori will make his UK theatre debut, having previously performed in Mercury Fur in New York (The New Group). His television credits include Son of Zorn, Shameless, My Name is Earl, Entourage and The Unit. His is perhaps best known for playing Zero Moustafa in The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Stephen Karam's plays include The Humans which this year won the Tony Award for Best Play and was a finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Tickets for the production are now on sale.