Finty Williams to play role her mother Judi Dench originated at Menier Chocolate Factory

Will Longman
Will Longman

Finty Williams is set to play a role originated by her mother Judi Dench in a revival of Hugh Whitemore's play Pack of Lies, set to open at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Whitemore's play premiered in 1983 at the Lyric Theatre, and starred husband and wife Judi Dench and Michael Williams as Ruth and Bill Search who find themselves at the centre of an investigation into the Portland Soviet spy ring with their daughter Gay Search. Whitemore's play is inspired by real events, and adapted from his previous work Act of Betrayal, which formed part of the Play for Today series.

The Portland spy ring was a Soviet operation that took place in England from the late 1950s until 1961. It was an example of the use of illegal residents, which saw spies operating in a foreign country without the cover of their national embassy.

Directed by Hannah Chiswick, Williams, who recently appeared in The Divide at the Old Vic, will play Barbara Jackson alongside Jasper Britton who will pay Stewart. Further casting is set to be announced soon.

Pack of Lies will run at the Menier Chocolate Factory from 20th September to 17th November, with an official opening night on 17th November.

The production will have set and costume designs by Paul Farnsworth, and lighting design by Paul Anderson.

Pack of Lies is at the Menier Chocolate Factory from 20th September to 17th November.

Originally published on

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