Photo Flash: BECKY SHAW Plays Almeida Theatre

Peter DuBois will direct the British premiere of Gina Gionfriddo's Becky Shaw, from 13 January and running until 5 March, with press night on 20 January 2011. Designs are by Jonathan Fensom, with lighting by Tim Mitchell and sound by John Leonard. Becky Shaw is sponsored by Pinsent Masons.

The cast is David Wilson Barnes (Max Garrett), Haydn Gwynne (Susan Slater), Daisy Haggard (Becky Shaw), Anna Madeley (Suzanna Salter) and Vincent Montuel (Andrew Porter).

From the moment that Becky arrives overdressed for her blind date with straight-talking Max, it's clear the evening is unlikely go to plan. In the immediate fallout, Becky becomes an object of devotion for her boss Andrew, who appears to have a fetish for vulnerable women. In turn Andrew's wife Suzanna turns to her step-brother Max for comfort, and their mutual desire begins to resurface.

David Wilson Barnes makes his British stage debut as Max Garrett, a role he created off-Broadway where Becky Shaw premiered in 2009. On television his credits include Law and Order and You Don't Know Jack. His many New York theatre credits include The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Vengeance, Men Without Shadows, Hamlet and The Caucasian Chalk Circle. On film he has been seen in The Company Men, Remember Me, Taking Woodstock, The Scene, Capote, How to Seduce Difficult Women, Ozark Savage and Hooray for Mr Touchdown.

David Wilson Barnes is appearing with the permission of UK Equity, incorporating the Variety Artistes' Federation pursuant to an exchange programme between American Equity and UK Equity.

Haydn Gwynne was last on stage in the West End as Billy Elliot's ballet teacher in the multi award-wining Billy Elliot the Musical, a role she went on to recreate on Broadway. Her other theatre credit's include Merry Wives of Windsor, Peer Gynt, Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night's Dream for the Royal Shakespeare Company and The Cabinet Minister and Bluebird of Unhappiness for the Royal Exchange Theatre. As well as playing Alex in Channel 4's Drop the Dead Donkey, her television work includes New Tricks, Peak Practice, Absolute Power, Midsommer Murders as well as Dalziel and Pascoe and Mersey Beat for which she won the Royal Television Society Best Actress Awards in 2003 and 2005 respectively. On film her work includes These Foolish Things and Remember Me.

Daisy Haggard was previously at the Almeida in Jonathan Kent's production of Ivanov. Her more recent theatre credits include The Importance of Being Earnest at Theatre Royal Bath, The UN Inspector for the National Theatre and Master and Margarita and A Midsummer Night's Dream for Chichester Festival Theatre. Her film credits include Nicholas Nickleby and Hard to Swallow. On television she is best known for roles in Psychoville, Man Stroke Woman and Green Wing as well as Saxondale, Clocking Off and My Family.

Anna Madeley has most recently been seen at the National Theatre in Earthquakes in London directed by Rupert Goold. Previously she has been seen in The Philanthropist and The Cosmonauts Last Message at the Donmar Warehouse, Coram Boy at the National Theatre and Contractions for the Royal Court. For the Royal Shakespeare Company her credits include The Roman Actor, The Malcontent and Love In A Wood. On film her credits include Brideshead Revisited, In Bruges, Stoned and on television Anne Lister, Hustle, Law and Order, Waking the Dead and Sense and Sensibility.

Vincent Montuel is making his professional stage debut in Becky Shaw. His screen credits are Frostbite and Chat Bleu, Chat Noir.

Obie Award-winning American playwright and television writer Gina Gionfriddo's writing credits include off-Broadway's After Ashley and U.S. Drag, in addition to many episodes of Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Cold Case.

Director Peter DuBois, Artistic Director of the Huntington Theatre Company, Boston, directed the world premiere (Actors Theater of Louisville, Humana Festival of New American Plays) and New York premiere (Second Stage Theatre) productions of Becky Shaw. His other US directing credits include Bob Glaudini's Jack Goes Boating with Philip Seymour Hoffman, A View from 151st Street, Measure for Pleasure, Richard III and Biro for The Public Theater - where he served as associate producer and resident director - Sam Shepard's Curse of the Starving Class and The Seagull, The Winter's Tale, Romeo and Juliet for Perseverance Theatre where he was Artistic Director.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

ACCESS PERFORMANCES

Becky Shaw

Captioned Performances 17 February at 7.30pm and 26 February at 3pm
Audio Described Performance 19 February at 3pm with a Touch Tour at 1.30pm

Almeida Access Line 020 7288 4999 or email access@almeida.co.uk

ADDRESS Almeida Theatre, Almeida Street, Islington, London, N1 1TA

CAFE-BAR The Almeida Cafe-Bar is open from 11.30am -11.00pm, Monday to Saturday, serving food, drinks and snacks.

BOX OFFICE

Phone 020 7359 4404 (24 hour)
In person 10.00am - 7.30pm, Monday - Saturday
On line www.almeida.co.uk
Tickets £32.00 - £8.00, concessions available
Priority Booking opens 18 October 2010 for Becky Shaw, The Knot of the Heart and A Delicate Balance, followed by Public Booking opening on 5 November 2010

PERFORMANCES SCHEDULE

Regular performances are Monday - Saturday at 7.30pm, Saturday matinees at 3pm, Press Nights at 7.00pm

Extra matinee Wednesday matinee performances at 2.30pm:

Becky Shaw - 16 February & 2 March

First Saturday matinees:

Becky Shaw - 22 January

WEBSITE www.almeida.co.uk