Caoilfhionn Dunne and More Join Gate Theatre's UK Premiere Of SUZY STORCK

As she opens The Unknown Island, the inaugural production in her first season as Artistic Director of the Gate Theatre, Ellen McDougall today announces the full cast for Suzy Storck, directed by celebrated French director Jean-Pierre Baro, in his debut UK production. Baro, one of the most exciting new artists in French theatre, directs Kate Duchene (Madam Storck), Caoilfhionn Dunne (Suzy Storck), Jonah Russell (Hans Vasilly Kruez) and Theo Solomon (Chorus). Suzy Storck opens on 31 October, with previews from 26 October and runs until 18 November.

The Gate's Artistic Director, Ellen McDougall said: "The Gate has always been a home for exceptional International Artists and so I am delighted to continue this tradition in welcoming both Jean Pierre Baro-one of the most exciting emerging directors in France - and Magali Mouge l -who's haunting play has captured the imagination of this stellar company of actors. I can't wait to see what they make together. This company includes the brilliant Caoilfhionn Dunne who will make a beautiful portrayal of Suzy, and alumni of the Gate Kate Duchene (Katie Mitchell's production of The House of Bernada Alba in 1992), and Jonah Russell (The Emperor Jones, directed by Thea Sharrock in 2005). Theo makes his Gate debut and is a really exciting young actor-building on the Gate's reputation for showcasing diverse, emerging talent".

Heavy heat.

Just before the storm.

An evening when the setting sun never actually sets.

Another unbearably hot evening, 8.54pm. Suzy Storck sits by the window, waiting for her husband to come home. Upstairs she can hear her childrena, yelling and clamouring at their bedroom door. She's locked them in.

Suzy realises for the first time she never chose any of this. She wonders how she ended up here. She imagines what escape might feel like. After tonight, she might never find her way out.

The Gate Theatre presents the UK premiere of this haunting new play by Magali Mougel, directed by Jean-Pierre Baro.

Magali Mougel's plays include, Erwin Motor, devotion, La Dernière Battue, Léda, le sourire en bannière, Penthy Sûr La Bande, Je Ne Peux Plus, Guérillères Ordinaires, Elle Pas Princesse Lui Pas Héros, Poudre Noire, Anticorps and La Nuit Où Le Jour S'est Levé - co-written with Sylvain Levey and Catherine Verlaguet. Later this year, her play The Lulu Projekt will run at Editions Espaces 34 and it has been selected for Le Prix Godot 2017 Des Lycéens.

Chris Campbell was Deputy Literary Manager of the National Theatre for six years and is currently Literary Manager of The Royal Court Theatre. He has translated plays by Philippe Minyana, David Lescot, Rémi de Vos, Adeline Picault, Magali Mougel, Launcelot Hamelin, Frédéric Blanchette, Catherine-Anne Toupin and Fabrice Roger-Lacan for the National Theatre, Almeida Theatre, Donmar Warehouse, Traverse Theatre, Birmingham Rep and Young Vic among others. His translation of Right Now was co-produced in 2016 by the Traverse, Bush and Ustinov theatres and in 2017, Oberon Books published a collection of his contemporary French translations. In 2014 he was appointed Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government. As an actor, he has previously worked at the Gate Theatre as well as venues including the National Theatre and The Royal Court Theatre. He most recently appeared alongside Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady.

Kate Duchene plays Madam Storck. Her previous credits for the Gate Theatre include The House of Bernarda Alba. Her theatre credits include Hedda Gabler, Everyman, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, The Miser (National Theatre), Forbidden Zone (Barbican), Faust, The Relapse, The Country Wife, Murder in the Cathedral and The Merchant of Venice (RSC), The Cherry Orchard (RSC, Barbican, Aldwych Theatre), The Sugar Syndrome (Royal Court), The Trial of Ubu (Hampstead Theatre), Henry VIII (Shakespeare's Globe), The Rivals (West Yorkshire Playhouse, Birmingham rep), The Sea (Leeds Playhouse), Kean (Old Vic), Cloud Nine, The Triumph of Love, Summerfolk and Love's Labours Lost (Chichester Theatre). For television her credits include, Foyle's War, Afterlife, The Worst Witch, Out of Hours, A Sense of Guilt, Marple; and for film, All Good Children, An Education, Monsieur N and The Tall Guy.

Caoilfhionn Dunne plays Suzy. Theatre credits include Katie Roche (Abbey Theatre), The Nest (Lyric Belfast, Young Vic), Wild (Hampstead Theatre), Forever Yours, Mary Lou (Theatre Royal, Bath), Our Country's Good, The Veil (National Theatre) Fathers and Sons, The Night Alive (Donmar Warehouse). Her television credits include Love/Hate, Vexed II, Little White Lies and for film; In View, Wrath of the Titans, Corduroy.

Jonah Russell plays Hans Vasilly Kruez. Theatre credits include My Brilliant Friend (Rose Theatre Kingston), A View from the Bridge, Kursk (Young Vic), Pains of Youth, Waves, Women of Troy, Attempts on her Life, and The Seagull (National Theatre), Lady Chatterley's Lover (Sheffield Crucible/ETT), Of Mice and Men (Birmingham Rep), Hood (Theatre Royal Nottingham/New Perspectives) The Mikvah Project (The Yard), Clytemnestra (Sherman Cymru), Yerma (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Small Hours (Hampstead Theatre) and Romans in Britain (Sheffield Crucible). For television his credits include Hatton Garden, The Hollow Crown, 24: Live Another Day, The Borgias, Green Wing, D-Day and Hidden City; and for film, Dark River, '71, Queen and Country, Kursk, Hell's Pavement, Play The Game and What a Girl Wants.

Theo Solomon plays Chorus. His theatre credits include Woyzeck (The Old Vic), The Minotaur, My Father Odysseus (Unicorn Theatre), Karagula (Styx) and Hamlet (UK tour).

Jean-Pierre Baro is an actor and director. Most recently he directed an adaptation of the John Maxwell Coetzee novel Disgrâce (CDN Orléans, Théâtre National de la Colline) and the touring production La Ville Ouverte. Other directing credits include La Mort de Danton (Centre Dramatique National d'Aubervillier). Since 2004, he has led Extime theatre company for which his credits include, Woyzeck (CDN Orléans-Loiret-Centre, Sylvia-Monfort), Léonce et Léna/Chantier (Odéon-Ateliers Berthier) and L'Humiliante Histoire de Lucien Petit (Odéon-Ateliers Berthier, Théâtre Nanterre-Amandiers) which he also wrote.

For more information visit www.gatetheatre.co.uk.

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