Harry Potter star Harry Melling and 1984’s Mark Arends are among the quartet of performers exploring political extremism in the London premiere of The Angry Brigade at the Bush Theatre next month.
The duo will be joined in James Graham’s 1970s-set thriller, which plays at the Shepherd’s Bush venue from 30 April to 13 June, by Pearl Chanda and Lizzy Watts.
Best known for his portrayal of the detestable Dudley Dursley in the film adaptations of J K Rowling’s popular novels, Melling returns to the London stage following his recent performance in his own play, Peddling, at the Arcola Theatre.
Arends created the role of Winston Smith in Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan’s Olivier Award nominated take on George Orwell’s tale of identity and state control, but has also been seen on the London stage in the National Theatre’s The Cat In The Hat and Beauty And The Beast.
Chanda’s theatre credits include Headlong’s The Seagull and Godchild at the Hampstead Theatre, while Watts last appeared at the Bush in Mike Bartlett’s Artefacts.
Set against a Britain of spending cuts, high unemployment and economic instability, The Angry Brigade follows the story of modern Britain’s first home-grown terrorist group and the police manhunt that tracked them down.
The production is directed by Paines Plough’s Artistic Director James Grieve as part of the company’s 40th anniversary celebrations. It comes to the Bush following Marco Ramirez’s The Royale (until 18 April), which opened to critical acclaim at the venue last month.