Two of Britain’s most popular comedy performers, Miranda star Sarah Hadland and Peep Show’s Robert Webb, will take to the stage this autumn to join Tamzin Outhwaite in the premiere of Simon Paisley Day’s chaotic comedy Raving.
The famous television trio will be joined in the cast by an impressive line-up comprising Olivier Award nominated actress and singer Issy van Randwyck, who returns to the venue following 2011’s No Naughty Bits, London stage regular Barnaby Kay (the Old Vic’s The Real Thing, A Streetcar Named Desire at the Donmar Warehouse), Gavin And Stacey’s Ifan Huw Dafydd, Da Vinci’s Demons’ Nicholas Rowe and rising star Bel Powley, who gained critical acclaim for her roles in the Royal Court theatre’s Tusk Tusk and hit West End transfer Jumpy.
The company will premiere actor Paisley Day’s debut play from 17 October (press night 24 October) until 23 November at the Hampstead theatre, bringing to life his chaotic comedy about new parents Briony and Keith whose dreams of a quiet weekend away in Wales are shot to pieces with the arrival of unpredictable couple Charles and Serena, an uninvited anarchic adolescent and a fanatical farmer.
While Hadland has become synonymous in recent years with her loveable, Heather Small-quoting character Stevie in the BBC’s hit series Miranda, the actress has proven she is more than just a bossy shop manager sidekick, boasting stage appearances including the Royal Court’s Decor Without Production and Canvas at the Chichester Festival Theatre, while her other many television credits include The Job Lot, Waterloo Road and her work with Webb on three series of sketch show That Mitchell And Webb Look.
Webb, whose work on Channel 4’s cult hit Peep Show and collaborations with his co-star and comedy partner David Mitchell have made him a household name, last appeared in the West End in Neil LaBute’s Fat Pig. The comedy writer and performer has also proved his comedy credentials on film, starring in British hits The Wedding Video, Confetti and Magicians.
Raving, which will be directed by the Hampstead theatre’s Artistic Director Edward Hall, follows the similarly impressive casting of Hysteria, which stars double Olivier Award winner Antony Sher and David Horovitch, and begins previews later this week.