Juliet Stevenson and Ria Zmitrowicz to star in Robert Icke’s The Doctor at the Almeida

Robert Icke will direct his new play The Doctor, which is freely adapted by Arthur Schnitzler's 1912 play Professor Bernhardi, at the Almeida Theatre in August, it has been announced.

Schnitzler's play is set in 1900 Vienna, and explores antisemitism and Austrian-Jewish identity. It was banned in Austria until the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian empire, and was last performed in London at the Arcola Theatre in 2005.

The play will star Juliet Stevenson, who starred in Icke's productions of Mary Stuart and Hamlet at the Almeida, and Ria Zmitrowicz, who currently stars in Three Sisters at the theatre. Further casting is to be announced in due course.

The Doctor will run at the Almeida Theatre from 12^th August to 28^th September, and the production will feature designs by Hildegard Bechtler, lighting by Natasha Chivers, sound by Tom Gibbons and casting by Julia Horan.

It has also been announced that The Doctor will be Icke's final production as associate director at the Almeida. His work during his time in the role has includes The Wild Duck, Mary Stuart, Uncle Vanya, Oresteia, 1984, Hamlet, The Fever and Mr Burns.

Rupert Goold, artistic director of the Almeida , said: "Robert's contribution to the Almeida is immeasurable. His emergence from our time working together at Headlong to international renown through his work for this theatre has been a privilege to be part of.

"He has been a friend and a visionary and we wish him well on the next stage of his artistic journey and look forward to him making other Almeida productions in the future."

Icke, who is departing to pursue freelance projects, said: "I've had a fantastic six years here, but it's become impossible to give the building the attention it deserves alongside my other work for theatre and for the screen.

"I'm grateful to all my supportive and talented colleagues over that time, on stage and off, including so many wonderful actors, and to all of the wider Almeida team, some of whom I first met as an Almeida assistant director a decade ago. I look forward to returning in the future."

The Doctor is at the Almeida Theatre from 12^th August to 28^th September.