Jason Watkins withdraws from Clybourne Park

Jason Watkins has withdrawn from Clybourne Park, " due to a family tragedy".

He was due to play Karl / Steve, the roles played by Martin Freeman in the play's premiere at the Royal Court. He is now replaced by Stephen Campbell Moore.

The rest of the cast remains unchanged including Stuart McQuarrie (Russ / Dan ), Lorna Brown (Francine/Lena), Sarah Goldberg (Betsy / Lindsey), Lucian Msamati (Albert / Kevin), Sam Spruell (Jim / Tom) , Sophie Thompson (Betsy / Lindsey).

Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris, directed by Dominic Cooke, closed at the Royal Court Downstairs on Saturday 2 Oct 2010, following a sold out 5 week run. It received terrific notices from the popular press: Rich and compelling (Londontheatre.co.uk); Funniest new play of the year (Standard); Excellently acted production (Guardian).

The play transfers to the Wyndham's Theatre, opening 8 Feb 2011, following previews from 28 Jan - running to 7 May 2011.

This satirical new play explores the fault line between race and property. In 1959 Russ and Bev are selling their desirable two-bed at a knock-down price. This enables the first Black family to move into the neighbourhood, creating ripples of discontent amongst the cosy white urbanites of Clybourne Park. In 2009, the same property is being bought by Lindsey and Steve whose plans to raze the house and start again is met with a similar response. Are the issues festering beneath the floorboards actually the same fifty years on?