Ralph Fiennes to Star in Ayckbourn's DEAR UNCLE in the West End; Premieres 2011

Variety is reporting that Alan Ayckbourn's new play, DEAR UNCLE, based off the classic play UNCLE VANYA by Anton Chekov, will star British actor Ralph Fiennes. Matthew Warchus is signed on to direct.

Fiennes is expected to play the doctor, Astrov. No dates have been announced for the show, nor does it have a specified theatre. The show is being produced by David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers.

Regarding the theatre, Pugh released a statement, saying, "The Norman Conquests worked very successfully in-the-round and we're looking to find somewhere different where we could do that shape again."

Fiennes is a veteran of both stage and screen. He is perhaps best known for his role as Lord Voldermort in the Harry Potter film series. Recently, Fiennes worked with frequent collaborator director Jonathan Kent to play the title role in Sophocles' Oedipus the King at the National Theatre in London. His 2006 performance in the play Faith Healer gained him a nomination for a 2007 Tony Award. Fiennes also played the title role in the 1995 Broadway revival of Shakespeare's Hamlet.

This season, Matthew Warchus directed the Tony Award-winning Best Play, God of Carnage, and the Tony Award-winning Best Revival of a Play, The Norman Conquests. Warchus was Tony-nominated for both productions, winning the award for his direction of God of Carnage. Warchus discusses both productions with Riedel and Haskins.

Alan Ayckbourn has had several plays both on and off Broadway. Major successes include Absurd Person Singular, The Norman Conquests trilogy, Bedroom Farce, Just Between Ourselves, A Chorus of Disapproval, Woman in Mind, A Small Family Business, Man Of The Moment, House and Garden and Private Fears in Public Places. His plays have won numerous awards, including seven London Evening Standard Awards. Ten of his plays have been staged on Broadway, attracting two Tony nominations, and one Tony award.