Haydn Gwynne will lead the cast of the Donmar Warehouse‘s revival of Restoration comedy The Way Of The World, replacing Linda Bassett, who has sadly had to withdraw from the production before the start of rehearsals for personal reasons.
The Covent Garden venue’s new production is directed by James Macdonald (Glengarry Glen Ross, West End), and stars four-time Olivier Award nominee Gwynne (Billy Elliot The Musical, Broadway) as Lady Wishfort. She will star alongside the likes of Fisayo Akinade (Saint Joan, Donmar) as Witwoud; Sarah Hadland (Miranda, BBC One) as Foible; Tom Mison (Sleepy Hollow, Fox) as Fainall; and Geoffrey Streatfeild (Young Chekhov, National Theatre) as Mirabel.
The cast also includes Alex Beckett (Pygmalion, Headlong) as Waitwell; Gabrielle Brooks (Queen Anne, West End) as Mincing; Phoebe Frances Brown (Finding Nana, Soho Theatre) as Betty/Peg; Jenny Jules (Julius Caesar, Donmar) as Mrs Marwood; Simon Manyonda (Barber Shop Chronicles, National) as Petulant; Caroline Martin (Hamlet, West End) as Mrs Fainall; Justine Mitchell (King Lear, Donmar) as Millamant; Christian Patterson (Guys And Dolls, UK tour) as Sir Wilfull Witwoud; and Nathan Welsh (Circa, The Vaults) as The Way Of The World.
Haydn Gwynne at the Olivier Awards 2017 with Mastercard nominees’ celebration (Photo: David Levene)
Family, money, desire: the rules of the game, the way of the world.
Lady Wishfort’s sprawling, dysfunctional family are riven by desire – there’s everything to lose and six thousand pounds to gain. Playwright William Congreve’s glorious ensemble of characters battles it out in this satirical comedy where everyone needs to win just to get by.
The Way Of The World previews from Thursday 29 March, with press night on Thursday 5 April. The run concludes on Saturday 26 May 2018.
Tickets can be booked through the Donmar Warehouse website.