Filumena is set in late 1940s Naples and tells the story of Filumena Marturano, who is lying on her deathbed waiting to marry Domenico Soriano, the man who has kept her as his mistress for 25 years. But no sooner has the priest completed the ceremony than Filumena makes a miraculous recovery. As he reels in shock, Domenico discovers that this brilliant, iron-willed woman has a few more surprises for him.

The role of Filumena is played by Olivier-winning actress Samantha Spiro, who makes her Almeida debut. Her previous work includes Hello, Dolly! at the Regent’s Park Open Air theatre, which won her an Olivier, Funny Girl in Chichester, Two Thousand Years and Cleo, Camping, Emanuelle And Dick at the National Theatre and, most recently, Chicken Soup With Barley at the Royal Court.

This version of Filumena is adapted by Tanya Ronder, who has previously adapted Lorca’s Blood Wedding for the Almeida and Vernon God Little at the Young Vic.