Casting has been announced for West End transfer of Till the Stars Come Down, Beth Steel’s passionate, heart-breaking and hilarious portrayal of a larger-than-life family that will open at Theatre Royal Haymarket this July.
Reprising their roles from the original National Theatre production are Lucy Black (Top Girls) as Hazel, Sinéad Matthews (The Antipodes) as Sylvia, Philip Whitchurch (Boys from the Blackstuff) as Uncle Pete and Alan Williams (Faith, Hope and Charity) as Tony.
Joining the cast are Dorothy Atkinson (Ludwig) as Aunty Carol, Adrian Bower (Gangs of London) as John, Julian Kostov (The White Lotus) as Marek, Aisling Loftus (Girls and Boys) as Maggie and Ruby Thompson (Three Sisters) as Leanne.
It’s Sylvia and Marek’s wedding and you’re all invited. Over the course of a hot summer’s day, a family gathers to welcome a newcomer into their midst. But as the vodka flows and dances are shared, passions boil over and the limits of love are tested. What happens when the happiest day of your life opens the door to a new and uncertain future?
Written by former National Theatre writer-in-residence Steel (The House of Shades), it is directed by Bijan Sheibani (Barber Shop Chronicles).
Sheibani is joined by set and costume designer Samal Blak, lighting designer Paule Constable, choreographer and movement director Aline David, sound designer Gareth Fry, revival director Elin Schofield, original casting director Alastair Coomer, casting director Juliet Horsley, dialect coach Charmian Hoare, intimacy director Asha Jennings-Grant, fight director Kev McCurdy and resident director Alex Pritchett.
Till the Stars Come Down was originally commissioned by the National Theatre and developed with the theatre’s New Work department whilst Steel was writer-in-residence (2019-2021). It had its world premiere on January 31, 2024, in the National’s Dorfman Theatre and was Steel’s debut play at the National Theatre running until March 16.
Coproduced with Eleanor Lloyd Productions, Fiery Angel, Short Street Productions and Access Entertainment, it will be staged at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from July 1 until September 27, 2025.
Tickets: Till the Stars Come Down
Top image: Till the Stars Come Down. Photo credit Manuel Harlan (supplied)