Alex Kingston (ER) and Richard Schiff (The West Wing) will star in Michael Frayn’s Copenhagen, the first staging of the show since 1998, when it opens at Hampstead Theatre in March.
Inspired by real events that have fascinated historians for decades, it centres on a meeting between two great physicists, Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg. In 1941, at the height of the Second World War, Heisenberg made a strange trip to Copenhagen to see his former mentor and friend, Bohr. Their brilliant collaboration in the 1920s had begun to lay bare the mysteries at the heart of the atom, but with Denmark now under German occupation this meeting was fraught with danger and embarrassment – and Heisenberg was burdened with a terrible secret.
It will be directed by Michael Longhurst and runs March 27 – May 2. Kingston plays Margrethe and Schiff is Bohr, with further casting to be announced. The designer is Joanna Scotcher, lighting designer is Neil Austin and casting director is Jim Carnahan.
Copenhagen will be followed by Sarah Ruhl’s romantic comedy Stage Kiss, which makes its UK premiere in a new production directed by Blanche McIntyre this May.
Stage Kiss begins with a sweeping melodrama. It’s 1930 New York, Ada is dying and her true love has journeyed from Europe for one final embrace. The estranged lovers are reunited, convinced their love will conquer all obstacles. Except, it’s 2011 New Haven, and these are rehearsals for The Last Kiss, a long-forgotten play. And there’s a plot twist. Art imitates life, and our two leading actors have an explosive romantic history of their own. As opening night approaches, a passionate affair may be waiting in the wings…
The designer is Robert Innes Hopkins, lighting designer is Oliver Fenwick and casting director is Juliet Horsley.
Booking for Copenhagen and Stage Kiss for patrons and Friends Plus today and for Friends and Young Friends on Monday, February 9. Public booking opens on Tuesday 10 February at 10.30am.
Tickets here.
Top image: Copenhagen artwork (image supplied)