Birmingham REP has announced the cast for its forthcoming production of Heather Gardner, a new adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler.
Leading the cast in the title role of Heather is Elisabeth Hopper. She played Miranda in Trevor Nunn's 2011 West End production of The Tempest opposite Ralph Fiennes and previously worked with Nunn on Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.
James Bradshaw plays Heather’s Husband, George. He is well-known for the role of Gordon Grimley in the ITV series The Grimleys and played Mole in the REP’s 2001 production of The Wind in the Willows.
Christopher Ettridge is predatory solicitor Peregrine Brand. He completed a season at the RSC in 2011 and appeared in the REP’s productions of Hapgood and His Dark Materials.
Heather’s friend Dorothy Edwards will be played by Maisie Turpie who was in the REP’s production last November of Wounded which took place in an Army field hospital.
Roderick Smith plays gardener Bert Woodhead. He started his theatre career on stage at the Old Rep Theatre as a page-boy in The Merchant of Venice in 1968.
The cast is completed by Sean Hart who plays Heather’s old flame Alec Lambert and Rosalind March who is George’s aunt June.
Heather Gardner is set in 1960s Birmingham and has been written by Robin French who was born and raised in Edgbaston.
His first play Bear Hug won the Royal Court Young Writers’ Festival and was produced at the Royal Court in 2004.
Mike Bradwell directs. He founded Hull Truck Theatre Company in 1971 and was artistic director of the Bush Theatre from 1996 until 2007.
Design is by Jamie Vartan, lighting design by Rick Fisher and sound design by Dan Hoole.
Heather Gardner runs at the Old Rep Theatre from 14 until 28 March as part of the REP’s centenary season.