18 May, 2016 THE DEEP BLUE SEA Lyttelton Theatre Previews from 1 June, Press Night 8 June, final performance 21 September.

On Wednesday 8 June, Terence Rattigan’s play, THE DEEP BLUE SEA directed by Carrie Cracknell opens in the Lyttelton Theatre. The production will have set designs by Tom Scutt, lighting by Guy Hoare, music by Stuart Earl, sound by Peter Rice and movement direction by Polly Bennett. Helen McCrory plays Hester Collyer; the full cast is James Alper, Marion Bailey, Katy Brittain, Tom Burke (Freddie Page), Hubert Burton, Adetomiwa Edun, Elsie Fallon, Nick Figgis, Nick Fletcher, Yolanda Kettle, Andrew Lewis, and Peter Sullivan. Helen McCrory and Carrie Cracknell reunite following the acclaimed Medea in 2014.

A flat in Ladbroke Grove, West London. 1952. When Hester Collyer is found by her neighbours in the aftermath of a failed suicide attempt, the story of her tempestuous affair with Freddie Page, a former RAF pilot and the breakdown of her marriage to a High Court Judge begins to emerge. With it comes a portrait of need, loneliness and long-repressed passion. Behind the fragile veneer of post-war civility burns a brutal sense of loss and longing.

Terence Rattigan was one of the most influential playwrights of the mid-20th century. His plays included The Winslow Boy, The Browning Version, Separate Tables, Flare Path and After the Dance which was produced at the NT in 2011 (Olivier award for best revival). He is still the only playwright who has had two straight plays run for over a thousand performances in London’s West End simultaneously.

Helen McCrory’s theatre work includes Medea, The Last of the Haussmans, Blood Wedding and The Seagull for the NT; The Late Middle Classes, Old Times, Twelfth Night and Uncle Vanya (Donmar Warehouse) and As You Like It (West End). Her extensive film and television work includes Skyfall, Hugo, Leaving, A Little Chaos, Peaky Blinders, Penny Dreadful, The Queen, Harry Potter, Street Life (RTS and Monte Carlo Best Actress Awards), Anna Karenina, The Jury and North Square (Critics’ Circle Award).

Carrie Cracknell’s recent work includes Medea and Blurred Lines (NT), Macbeth and A Doll’s House (Young Vic, West End and New York) and Wozzeck (ENO). She is Associate Director at the Royal Court Theatre and an Associate Artist at the Young Vic, and was previously Artistic Director of The Gate Theatre.

Press night: Wednesday 8 June Contact: Mary Parker on 020 7452 3234 / [email protected]

Notes to Editors

1. Previews start on 1 June, press night 8 June The Deep Blue Sea continues in the Lyttelton repertoire until September 2. Click here to access rehearsal images 3. Platform events Carrie Cracknell and Tom Scutt on The Deep Blue Sea Tue 21 June, 6pm, Lyttelton, £5/£4 London Theatre in the 50s Fri 1 July, 6pm, Lyttelton, £5/£4 Guests include Michael Billington, Julius Green, Dan Rebellato Helen McCrory on The Deep Blue Sea Fri 2 September, 3pm (1hr), Lyttelton, £6/£5 The actor reflects on the challenges and rewards of playing Hester Collyer in The Deep Blue Sea. 4. Captioned performances will take place on 9 July at 2.15pm and 12 August at 7.30pm, Audio Described performances will take place on 30 July at 2.15. A pre-show Touch Tour will take at 12.45pm prior to the matinee performance on 30 July

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