Peter Capaldi and Lyndsey Marshal have been cast alongside John Hodgkinson and Judith Scott in the Donmar Warehouse's celebration of British Absurdist comedies Absurdia. The production is directed by Douglas Hodge, making his directorial debut at the Donmar, who also co-writes the score with Stu Barker. Hodge is currently appearing alongside Barker in A Matter Of Life And Death at the National's Olivier theatre, which closes on 21 June.
Marshal is also currently appearing in A Matter Of Life And Death. In her last appearance at the Donmar, Boston Marriage, she was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Her other London performances have included Sleeping Beauty at the Young Vic, and Blood Wedding and The Hypochondriac at the Almeida, the latter gaining her a nomination for the 2006 Ian Charleson Award. Among Marshal’s film and television characters are Lottie in The Hours and Cleopatra in Rome.
Capaldi is best known for his television work on shows including Skins, Aftersun, Peep Show, Foyle's War and political comedy The Thick Of It, in which he played spin doctor Malcolm Tucker. The Scottish actor's stage credits include Feelgood (Garrick), Treats, Valued Friends (both Hampstead), John, Paul, George, Ringo And Birt, The Duenna and Twelfth Night (all Young Vic).
Hodgkinson returns to the Donmar, where he previously appeared in The Front Page, while Scott, who has previously worked with the RSC and Sheffield Crucible, makes her Donmar debut.
Absurdia runs between 26 July and 8 September, opening to the press on 31 July. The piece collects three absurdist plays – N F Simpson's A Resounding Tickle and Gladly Otherwise, and Michael Frayn's new piece The Crimson Hotel – and brings them together in an evening celebrating the genre.
MA