"Hedda Gabler" at Almeida casting update

"Hedda Gabler" at Almeida casting update

Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen, which opens at the Almeida Theatre (off West End) 16 March 2005, following previews from 10 March and running to 30 April 2005, has announced casting.

Eve Best (Hedda Tesman), Benedict Cumberbatch (George Tesman), Lisa Dillon (Thea Elvsted), Iain Glen (Judge Brack), Jamie Sives (Eilert Loevborg) and Gillian Raine (Juliana Tesman).

It is directed by Richard Eyre, designed by Rob Howell with lighting by Peter Mumford.

Set in the Norwegian home of George and Hedda Tesman near the turn of the twentieth century, Ibsen's Hedda Gabler reveals a woman struggling in a world that is, for her, devoid of excitement and enchantment. Filled with a lust for life, Hedda is consumed with a passion that is uncontrolable within the confines of her bourgeois existence.

Eve Best's theatre work includes, for the National Theatre, Howard Davies' production of Mourning Becomes Electra (for which she won the Critics' Circle Best Actress Award), Katie Mitchell's Three Sisters and Trevor Nunn's The Coast of Utopia and The Cherry Orchard. Her other theatre work includes The Misanthrope for Chichester Festival Theatre, Macbeth for the Globe and 'Tis Pity She's a Whore for the Young Vic (for which she won awards from the Evening Standard and the Critics' Circle). Her film and television work includes Waking the Dead, Shackleton, The Lodge and Lie With Me.

Benedict Cumberbatch returns to the Almeida to play George Tesman. His theatre work includes Trevor Nunn's production of The Lady from the Sea at the Almeida and Oh What a Lovely War, As You Like It and A Midsummer Night's Dream for the New Shakespeare Company. His film work includes To Kill A King and Hills Like White Elephants. On television he played the title role in Hawking as well as performing in To The Ends of the Earth, Forty Something, Cambridge Spies and Tipping the Velvet.

Lisa Dillon plays Thea Elvsted. Her 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.

Iain Glen plays Judge Brack. His recent theatre work includes Peter Stein's production of The Seagull at the 2003 Edinburgh International Theatre, Trevor Nunn's A Streetcar Named Desire for the National Theatre, Sam Mendes' The Blue Room for the Donmar Warehouse and Declan Donnelan's Martin Guerre. His other theatre work includes Henry V for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Coriolanus for Chichester Festival Theatre and the title role in Hamlet for Bristol Old Vic. His film and television work includes Gorillas in the Mist, Paris by Night, Tara Road, Kingdom of Heaven, Wives and Daughters and Trial and Retribution.

Gillian Raine plays Juliana Tesman. Her theatre work includes Richard Eyre's production of La Grande Magia for the National Theatre, Mike Bradwell's Mackerel Sky for the Bush Theatre and Bill Bryden's A Month in the Country. Her film work includes Darling and A Night to Remember and on television Kiss Me Kate, Suddenly Last Summer, Vanity Fair and Under the Hammer.

Jamie Sives plays Eilert Lovborg. His theatre work includes Michael Grandage's production of Edward II for Sheffield Theatres. For film and television his work includes On A Clear Day, One Last Chance, Rockface and Glasgow Kiss.