Jack Laskey will play Platonov in a new version of Chekhov’s rarely performed play of the same name, which has been given the new title Sons Without Fathers, when it opens at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry this week.
Laskey’s recent stage credits include Simon Stephens’s English version of John Fosse’s I am the Wind and Sweet Nothings, David Harower’s version of the Arthur Schnitzler play, for the Young Vic.
He has also appeared in numerous productions for the RSC and in 2009 he received an Ian Charleson Award commending his role as Orlando in As You Like It at Shakespeare’s Globe.
Showing a side to Chekhov that is “funnier, more brutal and more wildly passionate than the writer we know”, Sons Without Fathers will play in Coventry before transferring to London’s Arcola Theatre.
It’s directed and adapated by Helena Kaut-Howson who created the Belgrade and Arcola’s co-production of Uncle Vanya in 2011.
Marianne Oldham, who played Yelena in Uncle Vanya two years ago, will play Sophia. Last year she appeared in Nicholas Pierpan’s You Can Still Make a Killing at Southwark Playhouse and Design for Living by Noel Coward at Salisbury Playhouse.
Completing the cast are Susie Trayling, Simon Scardifield, Amy McAllister, Tom Canton, Oliver Hoare, Jade Williams and Mark Jax.
The set and costumes have been designed by Iona McLeish and are being created by Belgrade Production Services.
Lighting design is by Alex Wardle and sound design by Paul Bull, with original music by Polish composer Boleslaw Rawski.
Sons Without Fathers runs in the B2 auditorium at the Belgrade from Saturday (13 April) until Saturday, 4 May.