Samuel Barnett
|
The Menier Chocolate Factory’s production of Patrick Marber’s
Dealer’s Choice is transferring to Trafalgar Studios 1 for a West End season. The production, directed by Samuel West, will begin previews on 6 December and open on 11 December.
Dealer’s Choice is set around a regular poker game—it’s supposed to be a friendly game, but this week the stakes are high and winning has its price. In a night of psychological violence and bluff, six men stay up late and bust each other out. The production appeals to anyone who is interested in the growth of poker, from yesterday’s illegal back-street card games to the cyberspace and television phenomenon of today.
The Menier cast will remain with the production and includes Samuel Barnett, Ross Boatman, Roger Lloyd Pack, Jay Simpson, Malcolm Sinclair and Stephen Wight.
Barnett plays Carl. His theatre work includes the role of Posner in The History Boys (NT, international tour and Broadway—Drama Desk Award winner and Tony Award nominee for Best Supporting Actor), His Dark Materials (NT) and When You Cure Me (Bush Theatre). His film work includes The History Boys and Mrs. Henderson Presents.
Boatman takes on the role of Sweeney. His theatre includes playing Frankie in the original West End production of Dealer’s Choice and Mojo (Bristol Old Vic). Television includes playing Kevin for eight years in London’s Burning, Dream Team, Wall of Silence and Murder in Mind; his films include: Cassandra’s Dream, Penelope and Good Girl, Bad Girl. Ross is a member of the “Hendon mob,” possibly the U.K.’s greatest poker ambassadors with notable successes in the World Series of Poker and elsewhere.
Lloyd Pack plays Ash. He is best known for playing Trigger in the TV series Only Fools and Horses. His theatre work includes The Winterling (Royal Court), Dick Whittington and His Cat (Barbican) and Art (West End). Other television work includes Doctor Who and The Vicar of Dibley. Film credits include The role of Barty Crouch in the Harry Potter films and Vanity Fair.
Simpson plays Frankie. His theatre work includes Diamond Hard (Almeida), The Quare Fellow (Tricycle) and The Inland Sea (Oxford Stage Company). Films include Shifty, Hush Your Mouth and Pride and Prejudice. TV includes Foyle’s War, Primeval and Rome.
Sinclair, who plays the role of Stephen, has worked extensively in the West End and at the National Theatre, RSC, Donmar, Almeida, Young Vic and around the country. Recent productions include The History Boys (NT, tour and Broadway), What the Butler Saw (Hampstead and Criterion), Journey’s End (West End) and Privates on Parade (Donmar—Olivier Award nomination). His TV includes: Pie in the Sky (4 seasons). Films include The Statement, V for Vendetta and Casino Royale.
Wight plays Mugsy. His recent theatre includes Don Juan in Soho (Donmar), Class Enemy and Skyvers (both at Royal Court). His TV includes Ashes to Ashes, Diamond Geezer I and II, and Hex I and II.