The full cast for upcoming The Old Vic production of A Very Expensive Poison has been announced, including(Inside No.9, League Of Gentlemen) and Tom Brooke (Bodyguard, Game Of Thrones).
Reece, whose previous theatre credits include The Dresser, Absent Friends and Ghost Stories, will play the part of The President. While Tom, who recently performed at the Donmar in Berberian Sound Studio, will take on the role of Alexander Litvinenko.
Joining them will be MyAnna Buring as Marina Litvinenko. As well as her many theatre appearances, MyAnna has acted in several feature films, including Twilight: Breaking Dawn Parts I & II as well as hit television shows like Ripper Street and Downton Abbey.
MyAnna Buring in The Wasp (Photo: Ikin Yum)
Written by Lucy Prebble (The Effect, ENRON), A Very Expensive Poison is about international espionage that spans from Moscow to Mayfair. Based on a book, it is a reimagining of Luke Harding’s jaw-dropping exposé of the events behind the notorious death of ex-FSB Officer Alexander Litvinenko.
When a shocking assassination takes place in the heart of London, high-stakes global politics and radioactive villainy come into play. As a man pays with his life, a global crisis emerges, and with it, the prospect of a new Cold War.
The rest of the cast are:
Lloyd Hutchinson (MotherFatherSon, Manhunt) as Dimitri Kotvun, Peter Polycarpou (City Of Angels, Working) as Boris Bereszovsky, Michael Shaeffer (Girl From the North Country) as Andrei Luguvoi, and Gavin Spokes (Company, Quiz ) as DI Hyatt.
Several of the cast members will be playing multiple roles, including Thomas Arnold (Fanny & Alexander) as Emmerson/Tim/Sergei/Mario, Amanda Hadingue (Good Omens, Top Girls) as Professor Dombey/Lluba/Photographer/Dr Bhatt, Sarah Seggari (Emilia, Comedy of Errors) as Cabin Crew/Nurse Rezan/Australian Cleaner/ Nurse and Bea Svistunenko who is making her professional stage debut as Anatoly Litvinenko/Nurse Michena/Waitress.
The show’s swing performers are Callum Coates as Onstage Swing/Dr Virchis/FSB Officer 2, Marc Graham as Onstage Swing/Nurse David/Youth/FSB Officer, Yasmine Holness-Dove as Onstage Swing/Natalia/FSB Officer 3/Youth 2/Waitress 2/Dr Dudhniwala and Robyn Moore as Onstage Swing/Galina/Receptionist.
The show’s writer, Lucy Prebble says:
‘Barely a week after the President of Russia declared liberalism dead in the Financial Times, it seems right to announce this explosive new play challenging that version of events. It follows the investigation Sasha Litvinenko undertook into his own murder, in the days before he died, and the fight for justice that Marina Litvinenko pursued for years after her husband’s death. It is a wild ride from Moscow in the 90s, into the heart of London’s institutions, from Scotland Yard to mid-range sushi eateries, to the seedier establishments of Soho. But above all, like anything meaningful, it’s a love story.’
Director John Crowley (Brooklyn, The Goldfinch) added, “I am very excited to be working with such a wonderful company of actors on Lucy’s astonishing play. And I look forward to audiences discovering afresh the shock of this story and how it speaks to the moment we currently find ourselves in globally.”
The show is part of a season of exciting shows at The Old Vic with star-studded casts, which includes Present Laughter, starring Andrew Scott in the lead role, Lungs, which stars Matt Smith and Claire Foy, and Endgame starring Alan Cumming and Daniel Radcliffe.
A Very Expensive Poison opens at The Old Vic on 5 September with previews from 20 August. Tickets are available now.