Bridge Theatre’s production of Henrik Ibsen’s John Gabriel Borkman has added Olivier winner Clare Higgins (Hecuba,Vincent in Brixton) as well as Olivier and Tony nominee Lia Williams (Skylight, Oresteia) to its cast. Previews begin at the London theatre September 24, with the production officially opening September 29. The run is scheduled through November 26.
Higgins, who will play Gunhild Borkman, and Williams, who takes on the role of Ella Rentheim, join the previously announced Tony winner Simon Russell Beale (The Lehman Trilogy, Jumpers). Beale will portray the title character in this new version of the play by Lucinda Coxon. Complete casting will be announced at a later date.
Olivier- and Tony-winning director Nicholas Hytner (The History Boys, Carousel) will helm the creative team which features set designer Tony nominee Anna Fleischle (Hangmen, Home, I’m Darling) and costume designer Liam Bunster (Cabaret, The Inheritance).
Ibsen’s play tells the story of entrepreneur John Gabriel Borkman whose fortunes take a turn when he is sentenced to prison for fraud. Bankrupt and disgraced, he obsesses over a return to success and glory in the isolation of a room upstairs, while downstairs, his estranged wife plans to restore the family name. All plots are upset, however, by the arrival of her sister and a sudden confrontation with the past.
For tickets and more information, visit BridgeTheatre.co.uk.