AMERICAN PSYCHO Musical to Debut at Almeida Festival, Directed by Rupert Goold; 2013 Lineup Announced!

From 9 July - 9 August 2013, the Almeida Festival returns with a packed programme of fresh collaborations, award-winning artists and brand new shows. The most ambitious and extensive Almeida Festival to date, the line-up features ground-breaking artists presenting shows at different stages of progression, commissioned, co-commissioned, developed and supported by the Almeida.

Tim Crouch & a smith open the Festival with a brand new Almeida commission, followed by new work fromBryony Kimmings, Made in China, Dirty Protest, The Young Friends of the Almeida with a new play by Roz Wyllie, Clean Break, presenting a new play by Alice Birch alongside Rebecca Prichard's acclaimed Dream Pill, andDante or Die with a site-specific dance theatre piece at an Islington hotel.

GETINTHEBACKOFTHEVAN and Room 2 Manoeuvre present their acclaimed shows whilst Lost Dog (with playwright Lucy Kirkwood), The Debate Society and Belarus Free Theatre develop new work.

Richard Eyre directs his adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's:

G H O S T S

As previously announced, Richard Eyre returns to The Almeida Theatre to adapt and direct Ibsen's Ghosts. With a cast led by Lesley Manville as Helene Alving, Ghosts will run from 26 September - 23 November 2013, with Press Night on 3 October. Designs are by Tim Hatley with lighting by Peter Mumford and sound John Leonard.

The cast includes Lesley Manville as Helene Alving, Jack Lowden (Oswald Alving) and Will Keen (Pastor Manders). Further casting will be announced shortly.

Helene Alving has spent her life suspended in an emotional void after the death of her cruel but outwardly charming husband. She is determined to escape the ghosts of her past by telling her son, Oswald, the truth about his father. But on his return from his life as a painter in France, Oswald reveals how he has already inherited the legacy of hisfather's dissolute life.

Will Keen returns to the Almeida where he has previously been seen in Waste, Tom and Viv and Five Gold Rings. His other theatre credits include Quartermaine's Terms at Wyndhams Theatre, Hysteria for Theatre Royal Bath, Huis Clos at the Trafalgar Studios, the title role in Macbeth for Cheek by Jowl at the Barbican, Kiss of the Spiderwoman for the Donmar Warehouse, The Rubenstein Kiss for Hampstead Theatre, The Coast of Utopia for The National Theatre and Pericles for the Lyric Hammersmith. On television his credits include Silk, Garrow's Law, Titanic, Foyles War, Elizabeth I, The Impressionists, Into the Void, Murphy's Law, Monsignor Renard and Martin Chuzzlewit. His film his credits are Love and Other Disasters and Nine Lives of Thomas Katz on film.

Jack Lowden was most recently on stage playing Eric Liddell in Chariots of Fire which after opening at Hampstead Theatre, transferred to the West End. His previous roles include Cammy in the Laurence Olivier award-winning Black Watch for The National Theatre of Scotland which was also seen at the Barbican and on tour worldwide. On television his credits include Mrs Biggs, Blue Haven and Being Victor and the forthcoming The Tunnel. His film credit isuwantme2killhim?

Multi award-wining theatre, film and television actor Lesley Manville will make her Almeida debut in Ghosts. She was last on stage at The National Theatre in Grief where she has previously been seen

in Her Naked Skin, Pillars of the Community, The Alchemist and His Dark Materials. At the Old Vic her credits include Six Degrees of Separation and All About My Mother. Her work for the Royal Court includes Top Girls, Serious Money, The Pope's Wedding and Three Sisters and for the Royal Shakespeare Company she has been seen in The Wives Excuse, Les Liaisons Dangereuses and As You Like It. Manville's film work with regular collaborator Mike Leigh includes Another Year, All or Nothing, Topsy-Turvy, Secrets and Lies and High Hopes. Her other film credits include The Christmas Candle, Molly Moon, Maleficent, Romeo and Juliet, Spike Island and A Christmas Carol. On television her credits include An Adventure in Space and Time, The Man Who Would Be Bond, Mayday, Cranford, North & South, Bodily Harm, Other Peoples' Children, Promoted To Glory, The Cazalets, David Copperfield, Painted Lady, The Bite, Holding On, Tears Before Bedtime, A Statement of Affairs, Top Girls, Grown-Ups and The Firm.

Richard Eyre's multi award-winning production of Ibsen's Hedda Gabler opened at the Almeida in 2005. The Almeida has also presented Ibsen's Rosmersholm, directed by Anthony Page and Travis Preston's production of The Master Builder. Ibsen's The Lady from the Sea, directed by Trevor Nunn, was the first production programmed by Michael Attenborough when he took over as the Almeida's Artistic Director.

Richard Eyre's Almeida production of The Dark Earth and the Light Sky completed its sell out run in January this year. Previously for the Almeida he has directed David Hare's The Judas Kiss - his first production after leaving The National Theatre where he was Director from 1988 - 1997 - The Novice and Hedda Gabler. His more recent work as a director for the stage includes the award-winning production of Arthur Miller's The Crucible on Broadway, the world premieres of Nicholas Wright's Vincent in Brixton and The Reporter both forThe National Theatre, Noel Coward'sPrivate Lives on Broadway and the musical Mary Poppins. Most recently he has directed Quartermaine's Terms at the Wyndham's Theatre and his production of The Pajama Game for Chichester Festival Theatre beings previews next week. For television his credits include Changing Stages - a BBC Series on the history of theatre in the 20th century which he co-wrote with Nicholas Wright and presented, and the BAFTA award-winning Tumbledown. Eyre recently directed the critically-acclaimed Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 for the BBC's 2012 Shakespeare Season. His film credits include Iris, Stage Beauty, Notes on a Scandal and The Other Man.

Rupert Goold directs the world premiere of Bret Easton Ellis':

A M E R I C A N P S Y C H O

IN AN ALMEIDA CO PRODUCTION WITH HEADLONG IN ASSOCIATION WITH David Johnson, JESSE SINGER FOR ACT 4 ENTERTAINMENT

Rupert Goold, the Almeida's Artistic Director Designate, directs the World Premiere of American Psycho, a musical thriller with book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik, based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis.

American Psycho will run from 3 December 2013 with press night on 12 December. The production will now run to 25 January 2014, which includes additional performances to the previously announced schedule. Set design is by Es Devlin with choreography by Lynne Page, lighting by Jon Clark, sound by Paul Arditti and musical direction from David Shrubsole. American Psycho is an Almeida co-production with Headlong in association with David Johnson and Jesse Singer for Act 4 Entertainment.

Living the high life in 1980s Manhattan, Patrick Bateman has it all - looks, money, style and status. He and his entourage buy the most expensive designer clothes, eat at the most exclusive restaurants and party at the hottest clubs. But privately, Patrick indulges in another kind of transgression. And people - including those closest to him - keep disappearing.

Rupert Goold's association with The Almeida Theatre Company began in 2008 when he directed Stephen Adly Guirgis'The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. Goold's Headlong Theatre Company are also co-

producing with the Almeida in May to present the World Premiere of Lucy Kirkwood's Chimerica, directed by LyndseyTurner. Goold has been Artistic Director of Headlong since 2005. He was Associate Director at the Royal Shakespeare Company (2009-2012). Previously he was Artistic Director of Northampton Theatres (2002-2005). Goold has twice been the recipient of the Laurence Olivier, Critics' Circle and Evening Standard awards for Best Director.

The Almeida Theatre is grateful to its Principal Partner Aspen whose three year sponsorship started in July 2011, building on the long-term relationship between the two companies. Aspen's support of The Almeida Theatre ensures continued bold programming and artistic endeavour. Aspen was established in 2002 and is a leading global insurance and reinsurance company. www.aspen.co

The Almeida Theatre is supported by Arts Council England.

For more information, visit: www.almeida.co.uk.