Casting Announced for Almeida's THE DARK EARTH AND THE LIGHT SKY

Richard Eyre returns to The Almeida Theatre to direct the world premiere of Nick Dear's The Dark Earth and the Light Sky. Running from 8 November 2012 – 12 January 2013, press night is 15 November 2012. Designs are by Bob Crowley with lighting by Peter Mumford and sound by John Leonard.

The cast is Pip Carter (Edward Thomas), Pandora Colin (Eleanor), Ifan Huw Dafydd (Philip Thomas), Shaun Dooley (Robert Frost), Hattie Morahan (Helen Thomas) and Dan Poole (Bott/Major Lushington).

Deep in the Hampshire countryside Edward Thomas scrapes a living; disaffected husband, exhausted father and tormented writer. Then in 1913 he meets American poet Robert Frost and everything changes. As their friendship blossoms Edward writes, emerging from his cocoon of self-doubt into one of the most influential poets of the twentieth century. On the verge of success he makes the drastic decision to enlist, confounding his friends and family. The Dark Earth and the Light Sky delves into the life of this enigmatic and complex character in an era of change and destruction.

Pip Carter (Edward Thomas) can currently be seen in Posh at the Duke of York's Theatre. His other theatre credits include The Cherry Orchard, The White Guard, Gethsemane and Never So Good all for The National Theatre, Tiger Country for Hampstead Theatre and Joseph K for the Gate Theatre. His television credits include Henry IV Parts I & II, Neverland, Christopher and His Kind as well as the series John Adams and Party Animals. His film credits include That Syncing Feeling, The Eagle of the Ninth, Robin Hood and The Devil's Wedding.

Pandora Colin (Eleanor) returns to the Almeida where she was recently seen in The House of Bernarda Alba. Previously her theatre credits include After The Dance, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour and Women of Troy for The National Theatre. Her television credits include Black Books, Coupling and Hotel Babylon. Her film credits include Run, Fat Boy Run, A Bunch of Amateurs and Max.

Ifan Huw Dafydd (Philip Thomas)'s recent credits include As You Like It, Blackthorn, Desire Lines and Festen all for Theatre Clwyd. His extensive television credits include Gavin and Stacey, Sherlock and Martha Jac A Sianco, for which he won the Welsh BAFTA for Best Actor. His film credits include Seasons of Mist, Abraham's Point and I Know What You Know.

Shaun Dooley (Robert Frost) is best known for his work in television where his recent credits include Benidorm, Great Expectations, The Borrowers, Hustle and Inspector George Gently. He is currently filming the fourth series of Misfits for E4. His theatre credits include The White Devil for the Lyric Hammersmith, Making Noise Quietly for Oxford Stage Company and Brassed Off for Sheffield Theatres and The National Theatre. His film credits include The Woman in Black, The Awakening and Eden Lake.

Hattie Morahan (Helen) can currently be seen in A Doll's House at the Young Vic. Her other theatre credits include Plenty at the Sheffield Crucible, The Real Thing at the Old Vic, Time and the Conways at the National and The Family Reunion at the Donmar. On television her credits include Eternal Law, Lewis, Lark Rise to Candleford and four seasons of the BBC's Outnumbered. Morahan will appear in the forthcoming films Summer in February and Having You as well as The Golden Compass.

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