James Corden and Anna Maxwell Martin star in the world premiere of Joe Penhall's The Constituent beginning June 13.
Playing the Old Vic through August 10, the new play stars Martin as a hard-working opposition backbencher whose ideals of public office are tested by the demands of a man in crisis, played by Corden. The cast also features Zachary Hart (An Enemy of the People, Masters of the Air, Julius Caesar). The play is directed by Matthew Warchus.
Said Warchus in a previous statement, "In a theatre once mainly renowned for classic revivals, I鈥檓 excited to present The Old Vic鈥檚 25th world premiere since my tenure began in 2015鈥攖his urgently topical new play from Joe Penhall set in a local MP鈥檚 constituency office. In a landscape of increasing threat, what place is there for empathy? Is an open door policy now dependent on stab vests?"
Set and costume design is by Rob Howell, and lighting design is by Hugh Vanstone.
"I began writing this play four years ago, as I became fascinated and appalled by the growing antipathy towards elected politicians," Penhall shared in a previous statement. "But during lockdown it looked like theatre was done for, so when I showed a rough first draft to Matthew and he had such a confident vision for it, I was simultaneously thrilled and doubtful of our chances. It鈥檚 beyond exciting to be finally doing it and I feel utterly indebted to The Old Vic and everyone involved for getting us here."
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