Olivier Award winner Tamsin Greig and comedian John Sessions will lead the cast of prolific author William Boyd’s first ever play Longing at the Hampstead theatre next month.
Playing from 28 February (press night 7 March), Boyd’s Longing is a based on two short stories by Anton Chekhov and will see Greig and Sessions transported to 19th century Russia for a tale of provincial life full of false expectations, missed opportunities and unspoken passions.
Greig arrives at the Hampstead theatre following her recent appearance in the Royal Court theatre’s critically acclaimed West End transfer of Jumpy, in which she was directed by Nina Raine, who will also direct Longing.
A West End regular, Greig’s other recent credits include The Little Dog Laughed at the Garrick theatre, God Of Carnage at the Gielgud theatre and Gethsemane at the National Theatre. On screen the actress is famous for her many starring roles in comedy series including Green Wing, Black Books, Episodes and Friday Night Dinner.
Actor, writer and comedian Sessions is also well-known for his screen work, appearing as a regular panellist on QI and classic improvised comedy series Whose Line Is It Anyway?. As well as appearances in programmes including Stella Street, Gormenghast, Breaking The Mould and The New Statesman, he has also appeared in films The Iron Lady and Dagenham Girls and boasts stage credits My Night With Reg at the Criterion theatre, Waiting For Godot at the Young Vic and The Orton Diaries at the National Theatre.
Greig and Sessions will be joined in the cast by Jonathan Bailey (South Downs, Harold Pinter theatre), Natasha Little (This Life, Mistresses), Eve Ponsonby (The Children’s Hour, Comedy theatre) and Catrin Stewart (Stella, Misfits).
Longing will follow another high-profile cast appearing at the venue, with Tamzin Outhwaite, Anna Maxwell Martin and Gina McKee starring in Div And Viv And Rose from 17 January.