The year is 1959, and in a French military hospital Gustave, Philippe and Henri are hatching a plan to escape…

Tom Stoppard, one of the world’s finest living playwrights and proud owner of both an Olivier Award and an Oscar, has adapted Gérald Sibleyras’s Le Vent De Peupliers as an English language version. The original opened in Paris two years ago to much acclaim.

Richard Griffiths, John Hurt and Ken Stott star. Griffith’s won a trio of Best Actor awards, including an Olivier, for his performance in The History Boys, which is currently being filmed for cinematic release. A force on television, film or stage, Griffith’s previous theatrical credits include Heartbreak House, Galileo and Rules Of The Game. John Hurt is best known for his award-winning film performances in The Elephant Man and The Naked Civil Servant, though he has worked extensively in theatre, last taking to the West End stage in Afterplay. Stott, like Griffiths, also has an Olivier Award tucked away; he collected his for his performance in Broken Glass.

Thea Sharrock, Artistic Director of the Gate theatre, directs the production.