Jaime Winstone will make her stage debut in The Fastest Clock In The Universe at Hampstead theatre from 17 September (press night 22 September) as part of the venue’s 50th anniversary season.
Directed by Edward Dick, Winstone is joined by Finbar Lynch, Neet Mohan, Alec Newman and Eileen Page in Philip Ridley’s black comedy about a party that takes an unexpected sinister twist. As people gather above a disused East End fur factory for 30 year old Cougar’s ‘nineteenth’ birthday party, the arrival of the young and mysterious Foxtrot ignites a chain reaction in which narcissism, desire and an obsessive fear of ageing are played out to their extremes.
The Fastest Clock In The Universe premiered at Hampstead theatre in 1992 to critical acclaim, winning the Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Playwright, the Time Out Award and the Meyer Whitworth Prize. Often tackling controversial subjects, Ridley’s other plays include Mercury Fur, Leaves Of Glass and Piranha Heights.
Winstone makes her debut in the role of Sherbet Gravel, Foxtrot’s pregnant fiancée. The actress is perhaps best known for her leading role in Charlie Brooker’s BAFTA-nominated zombie series Dead Set. She has also appeared on screen in Totally Frank, M.I.T: Murder Investigation Team, and alongside her actor father Ray Winstone in Vincent. Her film credits include Daddy’s Girl, Kidulthood and Donkey Punch.
Newman, well known for his television credits including sci-fi series Children Of Dune and Star Trek, and BBC drama Hope Springs, will take on the lead role of Cougar. Newman played opposite Cate Blanchett in the Albery Theatre’s Plenty and appeared in The Glass Menagerie and Translations at the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh.
Mohan will play Foxtrot Darling, Cougar’s love interest, the role originated by Jude Law in the 1992 production. Mohan has previously appeared in Romeo And Juliet and Twelfth Night at the Open Air theatre, England People Very Nice at the National Theatre and in Ridley’s Mercury Fur at the Drum theatre Plymouth.
Lynch, who previously appeared at the Hampstead theatre in 2008’s production of Three Sisters On Hope Street, returns to the venue in the role of Captain Tock. Lynch’s theatre credits also include Dancing At Lughnasa at the Old Vic, The Hothouse and Not About Nightmares at the National Theatre and A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Measure For Measure for the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).
Finally, Page will play Cheetah Bee, Cougar’s eccentric elderly landlady. Having enjoyed an acting career spanning six decades to date, Page’s theatre appearances include The Boy Friend at the Duchess theatre, Follies at the Shaftesbury theatre, Waste, alongside Judi Dench and numerous credits with the RSC.
The Fastest Clock In The Universe marks Dick’s directorial debut at the venue. His previous work includes Romeo And Juliet at Shakespeare’s Globe, Twelfth Night at the Open Air theatre and ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore.
The Fastest Clock In The Universe plays at the Hampstead theatre from 17 September (press night 22 September) until 17 October, before transferring for a run at the Curve Theatre in Leicester.
CM