Ophelia Lovibond Will Star Opposite Dominic Cooper in THE LIBERTINE

As previously announced, Dominic Cooper will return to the stage later this year to play debauched 17th Century rake the Earl of Rochester in The Libertine.

Today, The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye reports that Ophelia Lovibond has been tapped to join Cooper in the piece by award-winning playwright Stephen Jeffreys, and directed by Olivier and Tony Award-winning Terry Johnson. Lovibond will take on the role of Elizabeth Barry in the production, which will play a limited run as part of the 2016 summer season at Bath Theatre Royal from 31 August to 17 September prior to the West End's Theatre Royal Haymarket from 22 September to 3 December. THE LIBERTINE will officially open on 27 September.

John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester is a charismatic poet, playwright and rake with a legendary appetite for excess. Yet this most ardent of hedonists is forced to reconsider everything he thinks and feels when a chance encounter with an actress at the Playhouse sends him reeling. With flair and wit, this wild romp through 1670s London offers an incisive critique of life in an age of excess.

Cooper has notable stage credits, particularly at the National Theatre including The History Boys, Mother Clap's Molly House and more recently in Phedre alongside Helen Mirren. Cooper's numerous film credits include The History Boys, The Duchess, My Week with Marilyn, Mamma Mia, Captain America: The First Avenger and he is soon to star in Preacher.

Lovibond has appeared in such films as MR. POPPER's PENGUINS and NO STRINGS ATTACHED. She has also apperaed in the television series TITANIC: BLOOD AND STEEL.

The Libertine was first performed on tour and at the Royal Court Theatre alongside the Restoration comedy, The Man of Mode, which presented another, contemporary view of Rochester. It later transferred to Chicago's Steppenwolf starring John Malkovich and directed by Terry Johnson before Johnny Depp took the title role in the 2004 film adaptation.