The previously announced revival of Terence Rattigan's Love in Idleness that Trevor Nunn will direct at London's Menier Chocolate Factory has announced casting. It will begin performances March 9, prior to an official opening March 20, for a run through April 29.
The play revolves around 18-year-old Michael, who, returning from Canada after a four-year absence during the war, is full of youthful ideology and leftist leanings. But he is shocked to find his widowed mother Olivia is now the mistress of cabinet minister Sir John Fletcher, enjoying a comfortable society life. When Michael and John clash, sparks fly and relationships are tested as everyone learns some difficult lessons in love.
The company comprises Eve Best (as Olivia Brown), Edward Bluemel (Michael Brown), Helen George (Diana Fletcher), Anthony Head (Sir John Fletcher), Vivienne Rochester (Miss Dell), and Helen Sloane (Polton/Celia Wentworth).
Best previously appeared on Broadway in Harold Pinter’s Old Times and The Homecoming (Tony Award nomination for Best Actress) and A Moon for the Misbegotten (Tony Award nomination for Best Actress, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Actress). Her London stage roles include Hedda Gabler (Almeida Theatre/Duke of York’s—Olivier Award for Best Actress, Evening Standard Award for Best Actress), Antony and Cleopatra, Much Ado About Nothing, Macbeth (Shakespeare’s Globe),The Duchess of Malfi, A Moon for the Misbegotten (The Old Vic), and multiple credits at the National Theatre, including Mourning Becomes Electra (Critics’ Circle Award for Best Actress), The Coast of Utopia, Three Sisters, The Cherry Orchard, and The Heiress (all National Theatre), and ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore (Young Vic–London Evening Standard Award and Critics’ Circle Award for Best Newcomer).
George is best known for her TV roles, especially in Call the Midwife.
Head's theatre credits include Six Degrees of Separation (The Old Vic), Otherwise Engaged (Criterion), Peter Pan, Pirates of Penzance (Savoy Theatre), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Duke of York’s), Rope (Wyndham’s), Chess (Prince Edward), and Yonadab and The Prince of Homburg (National Theatre).
To book tickets, contact the box office on 020 7378 1713 or visit menierchocolatefactory.com.
