John Guare’s sharp, vivacious drama Six Degrees Of Separation is inspired by the real life story of a flamboyant con artist who managed to convince wealthy residents of Manhattan’s Upper East Side he was the son of Sidney Poitier.

Six Degrees Of Separation premiered on Broadway in 1990 before receiving its UK premiere at the Royal Court in 1992, in a production that transferred to the Comedy theatre and won the 1993 Best New Play Laurence Olivier Award. Stockard Channing, who appeared in the play on both sides of the pond, went on to star in a film version with Donald Sutherland and Will Smith.

David Grindley directs the first major UK revival of Six Degrees Of Separation, returning to the Old Vic where he previously directed National Anthems. Grindley’s other work includes Abigail’s Party. Journey’s End and In The Club. 

Six Degrees Of Separation stars Lesley Manville and Anthony Head as the couple who are duped by con artist Paul. Manville is a hugely experienced stage actress whose credits include His Dark Materials, Her Naked Skin and Pillars Of The Community at the National Theatre and All About My Mother at the Old Vic. She also also appeared in numerous films by acclaimed director Mike Leigh. Head is best known for his screen work which includes Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Merlin, though he has been seen on stage in Otherwise Engaged, The Rocky Horror Show and Chess.

Six Degrees Of Separation contains nudity and is suitable for theatregoers aged 14 and older.

For more about Six Degrees Of Separation at the Old Vic, read the First Night Feature.