Photo Flash: In Rehearsal for Caryl Churchill's BLUE HEART at Tobacco Factory & Orange Tree

Tobacco Factory Theatres and the Orange Tree Theatre are embarking on a new co-producing partnership to stage the first major revival of Caryl Churchill's Blue Heart. Gillian Axtell, Alex Beckett, Amanda Boxer, Amelda Brown, Andy de la Tour, Maroussia Frank, Mona Goodwin, Janet Henfrey and Tracey Lee Sharples will appear in Caryl Churchill's two exhilarating one act plays, which have not been seen for nearly twenty years. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal!

Heart's Desire sees a family awaiting their daughter's return from Australia, though in a series of alternative scenarios, the play collapses as it keeps veering off in unexpected and ridiculous directions.

Blue Kettle tells the story of conman Derek and the five women he misleads into believing he is their biological son. Try as he might, Derek's plans are scuppered as the play is invaded by a virus.

In Churchill's ever-inventive style, the plays pull apart language and structure in a way that is theatrically remarkable and fast paced, in a stirring yet truthful exploration of family and relationships. Caryl Churchill is one of the country's foremost contemporary playwrights. Her incredible career includes the plays Top Girls, Cloud Nine, A Number and Escaped Alone.

Award-winning and esteemed director David Mercatali returns to Tobacco Factory Theatres and the Orange Tree following his previous direction of highly acclaimed productions at both theatres.

Blue Heart plays at Tobacco Factory Theatres 22 September - 1 October, followed by a run at Orange Tree Theatre 13 October - 19 November 2016. For tickets and more information, visit tobaccofactorytheatres.com or orangetreetheatre.co.uk.

Alex Beckett

Andy de la Tour

Andy de la Tour, Amanda Boxer and Amelda Brown

Jane Thenfrey and Alex Beckett

Tracey Lee Sharpeles and Mona Goodwin