Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf

James Macdonald directs a new production of multi Tony and Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Edward Albee’s landmark play Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? 

Starring Olivier and Bafta award-winning actress Imelda Staunton (Gypsy, Sweeney Todd, Edward Albee’s A Delicate Balance); Olivier award-winner Conleth Hill (Game Of Thrones, Stones In His Pockets, The Producers); Olivier award-winner Luke Treadaway (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Fortitude, The Hollow Crown) and Imogen Poots, in her West End debut (A Long Way Down, Jane Eyre and Me And Orson Wells).

In the early hours of the morning on the campus of an American college, Martha, much to her husband George’s displeasure, has invited the new professor Nick and his wife Honey to their home for some after-party drinks. As the alcohol flows and dawn approaches, the young couple are drawn into George and Martha’s toxic games until the evening reaches its climax in a moment of devastating truth-telling.

«««««‘Imelda Staunton at her magnificent best.  A first rate revival of an astonishing play.  Perfection.’ The Guardian, Michael Billington

«««««‘A fierce revival.  Conleth Hill is superb.  Exquisite.’ - The Evening Standard, Henry Hitchings

«««««‘James Macdonald’s superlative production. Flawless.’ - The Daily Telegraph, Dominic Cavendish

«««««‘One of the greatest feats of acting I have witnessed.  A brilliant night out.’ The Independent, Paul Taylor

«««««‘Intoxicatingly good.  James Macdonald’s blistering production. Imelda Staunton and Conleth Hill are superb.’- Financial Times 

Cast

IMELDA STAUNTON (MARTHA)

Imelda Staunton returns to the West End after her triumphant and Olivier Award-winning performance as Mama Rose in Gypsy. Amongst her many other theatre credits, notable performances include Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd, for which she won an Olivier Award, Circle Mirror Transformation for the Royal Court and the role of Claire in Edward Albee’s A Delicate Balance at the Almeida Theatre. In total, Staunton has been nominated for eleven Olivier Awards, winning four. On film Staunton is perhaps best known for playing the title role in Vera Drake, for which she received the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, and for the role of Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter films.

CONLETH HILL (GEORGE)

Conleth Hill is perhaps best known for his role as Lord Varys in the HBO television production Game of Thrones. A multi award-winning theatre actor, amongst his extensive theatre credits, recent productions include Quartermaine’s Terms at the Wyndham’s Theatre and The Cherry Orchard at the National Theatre. Hill won the Olivier Award for Best Actor for The Producers, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and for Stones In His Pockets in the West End. He also received Tony Award nominations for his role in Stones In His Pockets on its transfer to Broadway and The Seafarer, which transferred from the National Theatre to Broadway. Hill’s film credits include Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and Whatever Works, directed by Woody Allen

IMOGEN POOTS (HONEY)

Imogen Poots (Honey) makes her West End debut with Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Poots made her breakthrough performance as Tammy in the film 28 Weeks Later. She won the British Independent Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for The Look of Love in 2013 and was nominated for Best Actress at the 2015 Evening Standard British Film Awards for her role in Peter Bogdanovich’s She’s Funny That Way. Other film credits include Terrence Mallick’s The Knight of Cups, Green Room, Filth, Jimi: All Is By My Side, A Late Quartet and Jane Eyre. Poots will next be seen starring opposite Michael Shannon in Frank and Lola, which premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival to great acclaim. On television, she recently played the female lead in Cameron Crowe’s debut television series Roadies (Showtime).

LUKE TREADAWAY (NICK)

Luke Treadaway (Nick) won an Olivier Award for his performance as Christopher in the internationally acclaimed hit The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (National Theatre/ West End) and also originated the role of Albert in the earliest production of War Horse, again at the National. Further theatre credits include Over There (Royal Court), Piranha Heights (Soho Theatre) and Saint Joan (National Theatre). For film, Treadaway plays the lead in the upcoming Sony Pictures release A Street Cat Named Bob, adapted from the New York Times bestselling novel. Treadaway’s further film credits include Unbroken, Attack the Block, The Whistleblower,Clash of the Titans, Tonight You’re Mine, Heartless, The Rise and Brothers of the Head. For television, in January he returns to his role of scientist Vincent Rattrey in the second series of Sky Atlantic’s critically acclaimed Fortitude. His further credits include the lead character of Alex Higgins in BBC’s The Rack Pack, the Duke of Richmond in the second series of The Hollow Crown(BBC/NBC/Neal Street Productions), as well as Sky Arts mini-series The Nightmare World of H.G. Wells with Michael Gambon

Duration

TBC 

Location

Harold Pinter

Panton Street, London, SW1Y 4DN

Additional Details & FAQ

Cancellation Policy

No Refunds or exchanges available.

Where Do I Go

Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton Street, London, SW1Y 4DN
By Tube: Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Charing Cross
By Bus: 14, 19, 24, 29, 38

Critic Reviews

5.0(4 reviews)
  • Evening Standard

    Mar 31, 2017

    Imelda Staunton gives a performance of wounding intensity

  • The Telegraph

    Mar 31, 2017

    Imelda Staunton is on monstrously fine form

  • The Guardian

    Mar 31, 2017

    Imelda Staunton and Conleth Hill are both superb as they trade insults and toy vindictively with their guests in a first-rate revival of an astonishing play

  • The Stage

    Mar 31, 2017

    Ferocious and fearless production of Edward Albee's great play is performed with stunning power

Reviews

4.7(50 reviews)
  • Adam Grimshaw

    May 12, 2017

    We thoroughly enjoyed the production excellent cast and very well played by them all.

  • Hannah

    May 11, 2017

    Incredible performance from Imelda Staunton and the rest of the cast. A must see show.

  • Sarah

    May 11, 2017

    Fantastic

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