Scarlett Strallen and David Thaxton are to join Elena Roger in the Donmar Warehouse’s production of Passion from 10 September to 27 November (press night 21 September).
Strallen, the elder sister of Love Never Dies actress Summer Strallen, is a West End regular who previously played the title role in Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward theatre, going on to reprise the role on Broadway. Her other stage credits include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in the West End, Merry Wives The Musical for the Royal Shakespeare Company and several productions for the Open Air theatre.
Thaxton joins Passion from the West End production of Les Misérables, where he is currently playing Enjolras.
Passion is Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s study of obsessive love, based on the Italian novel Fosca. Captain Giorgio Bachetti, a military hero, is transferred to a strange and remote Italian outpost where, far away from his beloved Clara, he encounters Fosca, the sickly cousin of his commanding officer. Her influence has shattering and inconceivable consequences.
Passion will be staged as part of the Donmar’s festival celebrating the 80th birthday of composer Sondheim. Events include concert performances of his musicals Company and Merrily We Roll Along – both of which have previously been produced at the Donmar – and discussion evenings with directors Sam Mendes and Michael Grandage as well as Sondheim himself.
CB