Imelda Staunton, Bessie Carter take up Mrs Warren’s Profession

Mother-and-daughter Imelda Staunton and Bessie Carter will take to the stage together for the first time in Mrs Warren’s Profession, coming to the Garrick Theatre this May.

Staunton will play Mrs Kitty Warren and Carter will appear as Vivie Warren in George Bernard Shaw’s play, which will be directed by Dominic Cooke.

Vivie Warren is a woman ahead of her time. Estranged from her wealthy mother, she delights in a glass of whisky, a good detective story, and is determined to carve herself a sparkling legal career in an age ruled by men.

Her mother, however, is a product of that old patriarchal order. Exploiting it has earned Mrs Warren a fortune and paid for her daughter’s expensive education – but at what cost?

Staunton and Cooke previously collaborated on Hello, Dolly! and Follies. The actor also reunites with producer Sonia Friedman following Who’s Afraid of Virgina Woolf; and Cooke and Friedman after Clybourne Park.

The designer is Chloe Lamford, with casting by Amy Ball.

The production will open at the Garrick Theatre on May 22, with previews from May 10, and run until August 16.

Tickets will be on sale in early 2025, with audiences are invited to sign up for pre-sale ticket access at mrswarrensprofession.com.

Cast announced for Women, Beware the Devil

Rehersals have started for Women, Beware the Devil, which debuts at the Almeida Theatre next month.

Written by Lulu Raczka (Antigone) and directed by Rupert Goold (Tammy Faye), the cast includes Leo Bill (The Duchess of Malfi), Carly-Sophia Davies (Spring Awakening), Aurora Dawson-Hunte (Sex Education), Ioanna Kimbook (Daddy), Nathan Laryea (Spring Awakening), Lydia Leonard (Wolf Hall), Alison Oliver (Conversations with Friends) and Lola Shalam, in her professional debut.

Set in England, 1640, a war is brewing, rumours are flying, a household is in crisis… and the Devil’s having some fun.

For Lady Elizabeth nothing is more important than protecting her family’s legacy and their ancestral home. When that comes under threat, she elicits the help of Agnes, a young servant suspected of witchcraft. But Agnes has dark dreams of her own for this house.

The creative team also includes set designer Miriam Buether, costume designer Evie Gurney, lighting designer Tim Lutkin, sound designer and composer Adam Cork, casting director Amy Ball, costume supervisor Peter Todd and assistant director Dubheasa Lanipekun.

Women, Beware the Devil runs at the Almeida Theatre from February 11-25.