Blood, Millson And Penry-Jones Join Hynes In Royal Court's THE PRIORY

THE PRIORY by Michael Wynne will open at The Royal Court Theatre on November 22 2009 (previews from November 19), directed by Jeremy Herrin. The production will be designed by Robert Innes Hopkins, with lighting by Neil Austin, sound and music by Nick Powell and costume by Robert Innes Hopkins and Iona Kenrick.

Cast: Nick Blood, Jessica Hynes, Alastair Mackenzie, Joseph Millson, Rupert Penry-Jones, Charlotte Riley and Rachael Stirling

Kate is delighted when she finds a country retreat that ticks all the boxes. Gathering together a select group of her closest friends to celebrate New Year's Eve, she is keen to start 2010 afresh. But successful, stressed-out thirtysomethings in search of a good time in the sticks can make for one very fearsome party... and some surprising resolutions.

Michael Wynne's buoyant new comedy takes a microscope to modern dilemmas about life, love and retro board games.

Michael Wynne received his break-through the Royal Court's Young Writers Festival with his first play The Knocky in 1994. His other plays includeThe People Are Friendly (Royal Court), Sell Out (New Ambassadors), Dirty Wonderland (Grand Ocean Hotel, Brighton) and The Boy Who Left Home (Lyric, Hammersmith). He also co-wrote the film My Summer of Love.

Nick Blood is currently appearing in the BBC TV series Material Girl. He won the Old Vic New Voices & Theatre 503 Award in 2009.

Jessica Hynes (née Stevenson) was nominated for a Tony award this year for her acclaimed performance in The Norman Conquests (Old Vic/Broadway). She has previously appeared at the Royal Court in The Night Heron, while her screen credits include Shaun of the Dead, Spaced and The Royle Family.

Alistair Mackenzie is best known for playing the lead role of Archie in five series of the BBC drama Monarch of the Glen. His stage credits include A Chain Play (Almeida) and The Gigli Concert (Riverside).

Joseph Millson's stage credits include Judgment Day (Almeida), The Fairy Queen (Glyndebourne), Every Good Boy Deserves Favour (NT), Shoot/Get Treasure/Repeat (Royal Court), Cinderella (Old Vic) and Much Ado About Nothing (RSC). His forthcoming television roles include Enid (BBC TV) and Campus (Channel 4).

Rupert Penry-Jones's previous stage credits include Power (NT), Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Bristol Old Vic), Don Carlos, Timon of Athens (both RSC), The Play About The Baby and Chips With Everything (both NT). He also played the lead role of Adam in the BBC TV series Spooks, as well as other lead roles in The Thirty Nine Steps (BBC TV), Whitechapel (ITV) and Joe's Palace (BBC TV/HBO). Other screen credits include Casanova (BBC TV) and the feature film Match Point (dir. Woody Allen).

Charlotte Riley recently appeared as Catherine Earnshaw opposite Tom Hardy in ITV's adaptation of Wuthering Heights. She has also appeared on stage in The Cherry Orchard (Chichester), as well as playing the lead in Sky One's drama serial The Take.

Rachael Stirling's theatre credits include Pygmalion (Peter Hall Company/international Tour), The Taming of the Shrew, Uncle Vanya (both Wilton's), Look Back in Anger (Theatre Royal, Bath) and Theatre of Blood (NT/Improbable). Her screen credits include Tipping the Velvet (BBC TV) and The Young Victoria.

Jeremy Herrin is Deputy Artistic Director of the Royal Court, where he has directed the world premieres of Polly Stenham's hugely successful plays Tusk Tusk and That Face, as well as the UK premiere of David Hare's The Vertical Hour. He was formerly an Associate Director at Live Theatre Newcastle, where he specialised in directing new writing. His other credits include Marble (Abbey, Dublin), The Family Play (Donmar), Statement of Regret (NT), and the South African premiere of David Harrower's Blackbird.

 

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