Keira Knightley, Stephen Dillane, Luke Thompson to star in 'The Lives of Others'

Robert Icke will adapt and direct this story about a writer and an actor who are placed under state surveillance. But as their spy listens for evidence of subversion, he finds his own life is changed by the couple, leading to conflicting loyalties and difficult decisions.

Keira Knightley, Stephen Dillane and Luke Thompson will lead the world premiere of a stage adaptation of Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s Academy Award-winning film The Lives of Others. Performances begin on 29 October at the Adelphi Theatre, running through 9 January 2027.

Robert Icke will adapt and direct this story about a writer and an actor who are placed under state surveillance. But as their spy listens for evidence of subversion, he finds his own life is changed by the couple, leading to conflicting loyalties and difficult decisions.

The production reunites Icke and producer Sonia Friedman following their creative partnership on productions including Oedipus, Manhunt, Hamlet, The Doctor, Oresteia, and 1984.

The creative team includes design by Hildegard Bechtler, with lighting design by Jon Clark, sound design by Giles Thomas, and original music by the multi-award-winning composer Max Richter.

Friedman said, “I’ve been obsessed with The Lives of Others ever since I first saw it - Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s exquisite, haunting, and completely masterful film, and there is no one better than Robert Icke to bring this to life onstage. He has this rare ability to combine huge ideas with real emotional truth, and I know he and the company will find a way to realise it that feels both unexpected and completely thrilling.

“Set in East Berlin in 1984 - a world where nothing is private, every word carries consequence, and the state holds power not just over lives, but over thought, speech and imagination itself, this world premiere is a reminder of how fragile those freedoms are, and of the cost and courage required to hold on to them.

“What I love most about it is that it’s both epic and intimate - incredibly beautiful, sad, and deeply moving - and at its heart, it’s an unlikely story about kindness. A story about connection and compassion in the most unexpected places.

“To have a company led by Keira Knightley, Stephen Dillane and Luke Thompson at the Adelphi Theatre this autumn makes it all the more special. And in an extraordinary coup, we’re incredibly excited that Max Richter will be composing new music for the production. Max is one of the great composers of our time, and his work has a depth and emotional truth that has the potential to break our hearts.

“I really can’t wait to share it with audiences.”

Full cast will be announced in due course.

Book The Lives of Others tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: The Lives of Others artwork. (Photo by Oliver Rosser/Feast Creative)