Michael Attenborough will direct Eduardo De Filippo’s Filumena in a new English version by Tanya Ronder running at the Almeida from 15 March – 12 May 2012, with press night on 22 March at 7pm. Designs are by Robert Jones, with lighting by Tim Mitchell and sound by John Leonard. Filumena is sponsored by Pinsent Masons.
In the balmy heat of late ‘40s Naples, Filumena Marturano lies on her deathbed waiting to marry Domenico Soriano, the man who has kept her as his mistress for twenty-five years. But no sooner has the priest completed the ceremony, than Filumena makes a miraculous recovery. As he reels in shock, Domenico discovers that this brilliant, iron-willed woman has a few more surprises for him.
The cast comprises Geoffrey Freshwater (Alfredo), Victoria Lloyd (Lucia/Teresina), Luke Norris (Riccardo), Emily Plumtree (Diana), SheiLA Reid (Rosalia), Richard Riddell (Michele), Brodie Ross (Umberto), Samantha Spiro (Filumena), Edmund Wiseman (Nocella/Waiter) and Clive Wood (Domenico).
Geoffrey Freshwater (Alfredo) has been a company member at the Royal Shakespeare Company since 2005 where he has most recently been seen in As You Like It, The Grain Store, King Lear and Antony and Cleopatra. His National Theatre credits include The Alchemist, The Merry Wives of Windsor and The Mother. On television his credits include Law and Order UK, The Government Inspector and No Bananas.
Victoria Lloyd (Lucia/Teresina) last appeared at The Almeida Theatre in Michael Attenborough’s 2009 production of Measure for Measure. Her other theatre credits include Mine at the Finborough and Desire Under the Elms for the New Vic, Newcastle. Her film credits include Godard and Others, Crews and Small Things.
Luke Norris’ (Riccardo) theatre credits include War Horse, The Habit of Art and The Kitchen all for The National Theatre, and Remembrance Day for the Royal Court. His Royal Shakespeare Company credits include Days of Significance and The Gods Weep. His television credits include Skins and ITV’s upcoming Titanic. On film his credits include The Duchess and Running for River.
Emily Plumtree (Diana) played the role of Nerissa in Rupert Goold’s 2011 production of The Merchant of Venice for the Royal Shakespeare Company. She also played Bianca in The Taming of the Shrew in the same season. Her other theatre credits include Moonfleece at the Riverside Studios and Double Falsehood at the Union Theatre. She was nominated for a 2011 BIFA Raindance Award for playing the lead role in the film Hollow.
SheiLA Reid (Rosalia) is best known on television for playing Madge in ITV’s award-winning Benidorm. For the Royal Shakespeare Company her credits include Romeo and Juliet and Richard III. She spent seven years with Laurence Olivier’s National Theatre Company and more recently played the Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd. For the Royal Court her credits include My Mother Said I Never Should, Black Milk and Terrorism and at the Donmar Warehouse she was seen in Into The Woods. Her film credits include Five Days One Summer, Winter Guest and Brazil. Her other television credits include Case Histories, Midsomer Murders and Justice.
