The Old Vic Announces Casting for THE GREATEST WEALTH

The Old Vic is pleased to announce casting for The Greatest Wealth, curated by Lolita Chakrabarti and directed by Adrian Lester to celebrate 70 years of the National Health Service.

Jade Anouka, Louise English, Dervla Kirwan, Ruth Madeley, Art Malik, Meera Syal, Sophie Stone and David Threlfall will perform monologues written by Moira Buffini, Lolita Chakrabarti, Seiriol Davies, Matilda Ibini, Courttia Newland, Meera Syal, Jack Thorne and Paul Unwin in response to each decade since Aneurin Bevan launched the NHS at Park Hospital, Manchester, on 5 July 1948. Each evening will also include music performed by Gloria Obianyo.

Lolita Chakrabarti said:

'I am thrilled to be curating this One Voice for The Old Vic and delighted that so many talented and accomplished actors will be a part of it. To see how inventive but truthful each writer has been and then to realise their work with this calibre of actor is fantastic. This is going to be a very special event.'

The full line up is as follows:

1940s: Boo, by Jack Thorne, performed by Sophie Stone
1950s: At The Point of Need, by Paul Unwin, performed by David Threlfall 1960s: Rivers, written and performed by Meera Syal
1970s: Sister Susan by Moira Buffini, performed by Dervla Kirwan
1980s: Speedy Gonzales by Lolita Chakrabarti, performed by Art Malik 1990s: Family Room, by Courttia Newland, performed by Jade Anouka 2000s: Choice & Control, by Matilda Ibini, performed by Ruth Madeley 2010s: The Nuchess, by Seiriol Davies, performed by Louise English

This Old Vic commissioned set of world premiere monologues will salute and discuss the past, present and future of our NHS, an extraordinary institution that supports every single one of us. An absolute jewel in our crown.

In celebration of 70 years of the NHS The Old Vic is offering 70 tickets per performance priced at £5 for NHS workers to The Greatest Wealth (£10 for the Friday double bill).

The performances will be live sign language interpreted in British Sign Language (BSL).

The Greatest Wealth is part of our Bicentennial One Voice season, celebrating other important anniversaries in The Old Vic's 200th year. This began with One Hand Tied Behind Us, curated by Maxine Peake to mark 100 years since The Representation of the People Act 1918 gave the first women in Britain the right to vote. Later this year, there will be one final special anniversary performance to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War. Dates, writers and casting to be announced.

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