Old Vic Theatre Autumn/Winter season Announced

The Old Vic Theatre has announced two productions for its Autumn/Winter Season.

Hedda Gabler, by Henrik Ibsen, in a version by Brian Friel, opens 12 Sep 2012, following previews from 5 Sep - running to 10 Nov 2012. Cast includes Sheridan Smith (Hedda Gabler), Buffy Davis (Bertha), Anne Reid (Juliana Tesman), Adrian Scarborough (George Tesman), Fenella Woolgar (Thea Elvsted). Directed by Anna Mackmin, designed by Lez Brotherston, lighting by Mark Henderson. Concerns the conflict of the requirements of society and those of the individual explores the corrosive descent of Hedda Gabler into the treacherous void between expectation and reality. The general's daughter has married the respectable academic Tesman - a husband she despises as mediocre - and now, driven by fear and loathing, Hedda's despair goads her independent spirit to a rage expressed in the wilful contamination of life around her which eventually leads to disaster for her and all those beguiled by her.

Kiss Me, Kate, opens 3 Dec 2012, following previews from 20 Nov - running to 2 March 2013. Music and lyrics by Cole Porter and Book by Sam and Bella Spewack. (A Co-production with Chichester Festival Theatre, where it plays prior to transferring to Old Vic.) Cast includes Alex Bourne (Fred Graham/Petruchio), David Burt (Gangster 1.), Adam Garcia (Bill Calhoun/Lucentio), Clive Rowe (Gangster 2), Hannah Waddingham (Lilli Vanessi/Kate). Directed by Trevor Nunn, lighting by Tim Mitchell, choreography by Stephen Mear. Kiss Me, Kate is a show-within-a-show, bringing together the worlds of gun-toting gangsters, sparring actors and Shakespeare's original characters from The Taming of the Shrew.

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