Sherlock star Andrew Scott will return to the London stage in February 2017 when he takes on the iconic role of Hamlet at the Almeida Theatre.
In a collaboration that will have theatre fans salivating with anticipation for the next 10 months, Bond star Scott will be directed in Shakespeare’s great tragedy by Olivier Award nominee and Almeida Associate Director Robert Icke, who has won wild acclaim for his productions of Oresteia and Uncle Vanya.
If the combination of Scott, Icke and Shakespeare were not enough, Juliet Stevenson will also star in the production, taking on the role of Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude.
Talking about the role, Stevenson told Official London Theatre: “I’m very excited. I love the Almeida [and] I’m a great fan of Robert Icke… I was blown away by Oresteia and Uncle Vanya… I think he comes so freshly to every play he does and he works so hard and is so imaginative and creative.”
The headline grabbing production was revealed as the Islington venue announced its full 2016/17 season, which also includes two world premieres.
Adam Brace’s provocative new play, They Drink It In The Congo (12 August to 1 October), tells of a the attempts to stage a festival raising awareness for the war torn area of Africa.
The production reunites Brace with his Stovepipe director Michael Longhurst. The Constellations director returns to the Almeida after working on Carmen Disruption last year.
Oil (7 October to 26 November) marks Almeida debuts for both playwright Ella Hickson and director Carrie Cracknell. The explosive new play promises to drill deep into our relationship with the finite research, spanning 1889 to today and beyond.
The world premieres follow the previously announced staging of Richard III (7 June to 6 August), which will star Ralph Fiennes in the title role and Vanessa Redgrave as Queen Margaret.
The new season follows Leo Butler’s new play Boy. The tale of an ordinary, easily missed inhabitant of the city begins its run on 5 April.