Stage and screen star Brian Cox directs the U.K. premiere of Joshua Sobol鈥檚 Sinners鈥擳he English Professor, which opens February 26 at The Playground Theatre in London.
Starring in the two-hander are Nicole Ansari (Rock 鈥榥鈥� Roll) as Layla and Adam Sina (A Moon for the Misbegotton at the Old Vic) as Nur. The pair previously starred together in When My Mama Was a Hittite. Joining the play鈥檚 creative team are set designer Ray Recht, choreographer and costume designer Laya Torkaman, and composer Veria Amiri.
Sinners鈥擳he English Professor follows Layla, who is denounced for an affair with her student Nur, and is awaiting to be stoned to death for adultery. Nur can save his own life by throwing the first stone, but what choice will he make? The play examines the choices people make for love and survival and the striving for freedom in a patriarchal culture.
Cox previously directed a 2016 production of Sinners at The Mirror Repertory Compan, also featuring Ansari. Most recently, he was seen on Broadway in The Great Society and in January for his performance in HBO鈥檚 Succession. The performer also won Olivier Awards for his performances in Titus Andronicus and Rat in the Skull.
