Sherlock star Andrew Scott will reprise his role in Simon Stephens’ powerful monologue Sea Wall when it returns to London to play a limited run at the National Theatre’s temporary pop-up venue The Shed later this month.
The Paines Plough production, which is directed by the touring company’s joint Artistic Director George Perrin, was first seen at the Bush theatre in 2008, returning to the venue in 2009 following critical acclaim, with The Guardian describing Scott’s performance as “extraordinary” and declaring the play “a deceptive calm blue sea beneath which lurks a ferocious riptide of sorrow”.
Arriving at The Shed to play a strictly limited season of seven performances from 25 July to 2 August, the production will play morning performances at 22:00, with BAFTA-winning actor Scott returning to the National Theatre following leading roles in Emperor And Galilean and Aristocrats to recreate his solo performance as Alex.
A story about family, fear and the things that can’t be undone, Sea Wall sees Alex recount the tale of his love for his wife, daughter, his city and his job. But sometimes the force of life can crash against you. Sometimes everything you thought you could always depend on can be taken away.
The heartbreaking piece marks the return of Stephens’ work to the venue following January’s Port and his seven-time Olivier Award-winning adaptation of Mark Haddon’s novel The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, which premiered at the Cottesloe theatre before transferring to the West End.
Sea Wall is the latest surprise addition to the venue’s summer line-up, with the show playing in rep alongside previously announced productions The Hush (17 July to 3 August) and a new adaptation of Romeo And Juliet for children aged eight and older (24 July to 18 August).