Joseph Fiennes is to return to the London stage for the first time since 2005’s Epitaph For George Dillon when he leads the cast of 2,000 Feet Away at the Bush.
Fiennes is joined in the UK premiere of Anthony Weigh’s drama, which opens on 16 June, by Ian Hart and Phyllis Logan.
Weigh’s play is set in a tiny community in the heartland of America, where a new state law bans sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools, parks, bus stops, public libraries or anywhere else children might gather. The full effect of this new law is rammed home when the Deputy Sheriff is forced to evict his neighbour’s son.
2,000 Feet Away is the first full length play by Australian Weigh, and was developed while he was on attachment at the National Theatre Studio. It received its world premiere at the Belvoir Street Theatre, Sydney in November 2007.
Fiennes is best known for his film work which includes the Oscar-winning movies Elizabeth and Shakespeare In Love. In addition to Epitaph For George Dillon, he has previously appeared in Trevor Nunn’s farewell production at the National Theatre, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Real Classy Affair (Royal Court) and Troilus And Cressida (RSC).
Like Fiennes, Hart is best known for his screen work, which includes Finding Neverland, Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone and The End Of The Affair. Most recently Hart has been a regular on US drama Dirt. His last West End appearance came in the 2001 production of The Homecoming at the Comedy.
Logan, too, is an actor with extensive screen credentials. Her 1983 performance in the film Another Time Another Place saw her win the BAFTA Award for Most Outstanding Newcomer to Films. She has gone on to star in films such as Mike Leigh’s Secret And Lies, and in television series, most famously portraying Lady Jane in Lovejoy.
2,000 Feet Away is directed by the Bush’s Artistic Director Josie Rourke, whose previous work includes current Bush production Tinderbox, The Cryptogram (Donmar Warehouse) and Crazyblackmuthafuckin’self (Royal Court).
MA