In rehearsal: John Malkovich for David Mamet’s Bitter Wheat

The first rehearsal shots have been released of John Malkovich in Bitter Wheat, as he prepares to perform in the West End for the first time in nearly three decades.

John is starring in David Mamet’s darkly comic new play about a megalomaniac Hollywood mogul and his shady history. He’ll be joined by Doon Mackichan as Sondra, Ioanna Kimbook as Yung Kim Li, Alexander Arnold as Roberto, Teddy Kempner as Doctor Wald, Matthew Pidgeon as The Writer and Zephryn Taitte as Charles Arthur Brown.

There’s no avoiding that Bitter Wheat might have a little gristle on its bones. But when it’s written and directed by Pulitzer Prize winner Mamet (the genius behind Glengarry Glen Ross, American Buffalo and Speed-The-Plow) and stars Malkovich (Dangerous Liaisons, Con Air), it’s sure to prove utterly absorbing.

Bitter Wheat begins performances at the Garrick Theatre this Friday 7 June – so channel your excitement into viewing Helen Maybanks’ rehearsal imagery below, and then grab your tickets for one of the must-see plays of the summer season.

Bitter Wheat transports audiences to an envisaged Hollywood hell hole, where everything is for sale – except the awards, which are only to rent. The show will explore the monstrous Barney Fein’s fall from power to worldwide shame, with a helping of chaos and comedy.