Cast Announced for West End Transfer of GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY

Casting is today announced for the West End transfer for Bob Dylan's and Conor McPherson's Girl From the North Country, following a sell-out, critically acclaimed run at The Old Vic.

Brought to life by an exceptional company of actors and musicians, award-winning playwright Conor McPherson beautifully weaves the iconic songbook of Bob Dylan into this new show full of hope, heartbreak and soul.

Duluth, Minnesota. 1934. A community living on a knife-edge huddle together in the local guesthouse. The owner, Nick, owes more money than he can ever repay, his wife Elizabeth is losing her mind and their daughter Marianne is carrying a child no one will account for. And, when a preacher selling bibles and a boxer looking for a comeback show up in the middle of the night, things start to spiral beyond the point of no return...

Girl from the North Country features a stellar cast:

Sheila Atim plays Marianne Laine. Recent theatre credits include Babette's Feast (Coronet Printroom), The Tempest, Henry IV and Julius Ceasar as part of the Shakespeare Trilogy (Donmar Warehouse), Hopelessly Devoted (Paines Plough) and Les Blancs (National Theatre). Other theatre credits include Volpone, Love's Sacrifice, The Jew of Malta (RSC), Black Lives Black Words - The Interrogation of Sandra Bland (Bush Theatre), Rachel (Finborough Theatre) and Klook's Last Stand (Park Theatre). Sheila's television credits include I Live With Models and the upcoming second series of Harlots.

Hannah Azuonye is part of the ensemble. This production marks her professional and West End debut. Her theatre credits include Thick Skin (Poor Michelle Theatre Company) which won the Samuel French New Play Award at the National Student Drama Festival. Her recent screen credits include The Things I Will Not Miss.

Mary Doherty is part of the ensemble. Her recent theatre credits include Twelfth Night (National Theatre), Henry IV Trilogy, Anne Boleyn, All's Well That Ends Well, Henry VIII (The Globe), Inherit the Wind (Old Vic), Merry Wives the Musical (RSC), Two Cities (Salisbury Playhouse), Avenue Q (West End), Grease (UK Tour). Her film and television credits include Shakespeare Uncovered and True Stories. Her radio credits include How to Have a Perfect Marriage and The Saudi Prince and the Pauper.

Bronagh Gallagher plays Mr. Burke. Theatre credits include The Faith Machine, Dublin Carol (Royal Court), Every Good Boy Deser ves Favour and War Horse (National Theatre). Film credits include Sherlock Holmes, Tamara Drewe, Tristan & Isolde, Last Chance Harvey, The Commitments, Pulp Fiction, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Television credits include You Me and the Apocalypse, The Street, The Accused.

David Ganly plays Mr. Burke. His theatre credits include On Blueberry Hill (Dublin Theatre Festival), Once (Olympia Theatre Dublin), Lonesome West (Tron Theatre), The Plough & the Stars (Abbey Theatre Dublin and Irish & US Tour), Shakespeare in Love (Noel Coward Theatre), Threepenny Opera (Gate Theatre), King Lear (Theatre Royal Bath), Cinderella (Lyric Hammersmith) Macbeth (Sheffield Crucible), The Lonesome West (Druid Theatre, The Royal Court, Sydney Festival and Lyceum, Broadway) Of Mice and Men (The Watermill), The Wizard of Oz (London Palladium), The Beauty Queen of Leenane (Young Vic)for which David received an OFFIE nomination for Best Actor, Chicago (Cambridge Theatre London), The Weir (Gate Theatre), Translations (National Theatre) and The Full Monty (Prince of Wales Theatre). His film and television credits include Citizen Charlie, Sunset Song, Body of Lies, Hippie Hippie Shake, Dorothy Mills, Widow's Peak and Space Truckers.

Shirley Henderson plays Elizabeth Laine. Shirley's career spans film, television and theatre; her extensive theatre credits include Shining Souls (The Old Vic), The Maiden Stone, Lions in the Streets (Hampstead Theatre), My Mother Said I Never Should (Royal Court), Entertaining Strangers, The Winter's Tale, The Tempest (National Theatre), Eurydice (Chichester Festival), Anna Weiss (Whitehall Theatre), Romeo & Juliet (Citizens Theatre) and The Life of Stuff (Traverse Theatre). On screen, Shirley is best known for films Trainspotting, Bridget Jones and the Harry Potter series, and for her roles in television dramas Frozen and Southcliffe, she won the BAFTA Scotland Award for 'Best Actress' in both. Other television credits include Happy Valley, Jamaica Inn, Bob Servant Independent, Death In Paradise, Treasure Island, Crimson Petal and the White, Marple: Murder is Easy, Dr Who, The Taming Of The Shrew and Dirty Filthy Love, and her other film credits include Okja, Never Steady, Never Still, Love Song: Wolf Alice, Urban Hymn, The Tale Of Tales, The Caravan, Set Fire To The Stars, Filth, The Look Of Love, Anna Karenina, Everyday, Wild Child and Marie Antoinette.

Ciaran Hinds plays Nick Laine. Ciaran has worked extensively for the Glasgow Citizens Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre, Donmar Warehouse, Gate Theatre and Abbey Theatre, Dublin. Theatre credits include Hamlet (Barbican), The Night Alive, Assassins (Donmar Warehouse), Juno and The Paycock, Burnt By The Sun, Machinal (National Theatre), Closer (National Theatre and Broadway), The Yalta Game (Gate Theatre), Our Few and Evil Days (Abbey Theatre Dublin), Simpatico (Royal Court) and Richard III (Royal Shakespeare Company). Broadway credits include The Crucible, Cat on A Hot Tin Roof and The Seafarer. Film credits include Justice League, Red Sparrow, Woman Walks Ahead, Bleed for This, Silence, Frozen, The Woman in Black, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, The Debt, The Eclipse, There Will Be Blood, Miami Vice, Munich, Road to Perdition, Veronica Guerin, Calendar Girls, Tombraider II, The Sun of all Fears and Persuasion. Television credits include The Terror, Game of Thrones, Political Animals, Above Suspicion, Rome, The Mayor of Casterbridge, Jane Eyre and Persuasion.

Adam James plays Dr. Walker. His recent theatre credits include Consent (National Theatre), An Enemy of the People (Chichester Festival Theatre), Bull (Young Vic), My Child (Royal Court), 13 (National Theatre) and King Charles III for which he received the Clarence Derwent Award for best supporting actor. Further theatre credits include Rapture, Blister, Burn and Tiger Country (Hampstead Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing (Wyndhams Theatre), The Pride (Broadway) for which he received Lucille Lortel Award for Best Actor in a Featured Role, Gethsemane, Blood & Gifts (National Theatre), Now or Later (Royal Court) and King Lear (Royal Exchange). His television credits include Home From Home, Eric, Ernie and Me, Doctor Foster, King Charles III, Endeavour, Grantchester, Coalition, The Game, The Crimson Field, Law & Order, Family Tree, Miranda, Doctor Who, Hustle, Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Ashes to Ashes, Extras, England Expects, Love Soup, The Lost Battalion and Band of Brothers. His film credits include Johnny English III, Hunter Killer, A Little Chaos, Last Chance Harvey, Mother of Tears and Road To Guantanamo.

Claudia Jolly plays Katherine Draper. A recent graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (Gold Medial recipient). Claudia was recently seen in the BBC adaptation of NW and is soon to appear in the film On Chesil Beach. Claudia plays Mariarosa in the BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Ela Ferrante's Neapolitan novels.

Karl Johnson plays Mr Perry. His recent theatre credits include King Lear (Old Vic), Hamlet (Barbican Centre), Fathers and Sons (Donmar Warehouse), Barking in Essex (Wyndham's Theatre), Noises Off (Old Vic and West End), Frankenstein, The Seafarer, Tales From The Vienna Wood, Scenes From the Big Picture, The Walls (National Theatre). The Absence of Women (Lyric Theatre, Belfast), Almost Nothing/At the Table, Not Not Not Not Not Enough Oxygen, This is a Chair and The Night Heron (Royal Court). His television credits include King Lear, Mum, Born to Kill, Dickensian, Plebs, Atlantis, Call the Midwife, Merlin, The Trial of Tony Blair and Rules of Engagement. His film credits include Peterloo, Kaleidoscope, Mr Turner, The Deep Blue Sea and Close My Eyes.

Arinzé Kene plays Joe Scott. His theatre credits include One Night In Miami (Donmar Warehouse), Decade (Headlong), Been So Long (Young Vic Theatre), The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre), Daddy Cool (Shaftesbury Theatre) and Torn (Arcola Theatre). Arinzé's television credits include Crazyhead, Our Girl, Youngers, EastEnders and Informer. His film credits include Been So Long, The Pass, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Freestyle.

Emmanuel Kojo is part of the ensemble. His recent theatre credits include Oklahoma! (BBC Proms 2017), Twelfth Night (National Theatre), Show Boat (Sheffield Theatre, West End), Kiss Me Kate (Opera North) and The Scottsboro Boys (Garrick Theatre and Young Vic). His television credits include Oklahoma! and Walliams and Friends.

Debbie Kurup plays Mrs Neilsen. Her theatre credits include The Threepenny Opera (National Theatre), The Bodyguard (Adelphi Theatre), Chicago (Cambridge Theatre and Adelphi Theatre), Sister Act (London Palladium), West Side Story (Prince of Wales Theatre London), Tonight's The Night (Victoria Palace), Rent (Prince of Wales Theatre and UK), Boogie Nights (Savoy Theatre), Anything Goes (Sheffield Theatres and UK tour), Jack and the Beanstalk (Hackney Empire), East (Leicester Curve), Fame (UK tour), Guys and Dolls (Sheffield Theatres), Pal Joey (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Poison (Tricycle Theatre). Debbie's film credits include 28 Weeks Later and Hollow.

Tim McMullan plays Reverend Walker. His theatre credits include over 15 shows at the National Theatre including Common, Twelfth Night, Man and Superman, The Cherry Orchard, Burnt by the Sun, Coram Boy, Dark Materials and The Three Sisters; and he is an associate of Complicité with who his work includes The Master and Marguerita, Mnemonic and Three Lives of Lucie Cabrol. Other theatre credits include The Tempest (The Globe), Hapgood (Hampstead Theatre), Fathers and Sons (Donmar Warehouse), A Midsummer Night's Dream (RSC), The Misanthrope with Keira Knightley (Comedy Theatre, West End), King Charles III (Wyndham's Theatre), and As You Like It (Glove Theatre). Film credits include King Charles III, The Woman in Black, The Queen, Shakespeare in Love, The Fifth Element and Shadowlands. Recent television credits include Melrose, Fearless, The Witness for the Prosecution, Dr Thorne, Grantchester II, The Go-Between, Foyle's War (in which Tim played the MI5 agent, Valentine, for two series), The Hollow Crown: Henry IV: Parts 1 & 2, and Parade's End.

Sam Reid plays Gene Laine. His theatre credits include 'Tis Pity She's a Whore (West Yorkshire Playhouse) and One Night In November (Belgrade Theatre). Sam's television credits include Tennison, Codes of Conduct, Astronauts Wives Club, Miss Marple: Greenshaw's Folly, Hatfields & McCoys, Whitechapel, Endeavour, Spooks, MI-5 and All Saints. His film credits include Limehouse Golem, 2:22, Despite the Falling Snow, Serena, Tigers, The Riot Club, '71, Belle and The Railway Man.

Jack Shalloo plays Elias Burke. Theatre credits include Groundhog Day (The Old Vic), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), The Snow Queen (The Nuffield Theatre), A Clockwork Orange (Stratford East Theatre Royal), Goodbye Barcelona (Arcola Theatre) and Our House (Birmingham Rep and Original UK Tour). Jack's television credits include People Just Do Nothing, Dickensian, The Interceptor, Doctors, Miranda Hart's New Year's Eve Sketch Show, The Man Who Loved The Lakes, EastEnders, Out Of Control, Holby City, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher and The Bill. His film credits include Fit, Kick-Off and Bashment.

Conor McPherson is an acclaimed writer and director. He was born in Dublin in 1971 and attended University College Dublin where he began to write and direct. Stage plays include Rum & Vodka, The Good Thief, This Lime Tree Bower, St Nicholas, The Weir (Olivier, Evening Standard, and Critics Circle Awards), Dublin Carol, Port Authority, Shining City (Tony Award nominated), The Seafarer (Tony, Olivier and Evening Standard Award nominated), The Veil, and The Night Alive (New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play, Olivier, Evening Standard and Lucille Lortel Award nominated). Adaptations include Franz Xaver Kroetz's The Nest, and August Strindberg's The Dance of Death. Screen credits include the screenplay for the BBC series Paula, broadcast earlier this year.

Bob Dylan is one of our culture's most influential and ground-breaking artists. Born in Duluth, Minnesota in 1941; self-taught on piano, guitar and harmonica, he travelled to New York City in 1961, quickly establishing himself as an explosive performer in the Greenwich Village music scene. More than half a century later, Dylan continues to perform almost 100 concerts each year. He has released more than 50 albums and written over 600 songs. He's sold more than 125 million records and is the holder of 11 Grammy Awards. His songs have been covered more than 6000 times by artists as diverse as Duke Ellington, Jimi Hendrix, Guns N' Roses, Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley and Adele. He is also an accomplished visual artist and author, and in 2016 was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature - the first songwriter to receive such a distinction.

The Old Vic is London's independent not-for-profit theatre, creating world class entertainment on an international scale. Through our eclectic and adventurous work on stage, projects with young people, employability programmes, digital outreach, all-day café and late night cocktail bar, The Old Vic under Artistic Director Matthew Warchus is an exciting and inviting place to be. We trade in creative imagination. It is the commodity that will be most prized tomorrow and the reason why The Old Vic is as vital today as it was in 1818 when it first opened its doors.

Further casting to be announced in due course.

Sony Music also announces the vinyl release of The Original London Cast Recording of Girl From the North Country. Released on the Silvertone label, and already available on CD, download and streaming services, the double vinyl will be available from 15th December. It is available to pre-order on Amazon now.

The Old Vic's production of Girl From the North Country is produced by Tristan Baker & Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment, Steven Lappin, Sony Music Entertainment UK and David Mirvish.

Photo credit: Simon Turtle