A new production of Jean Anouilh’s
Ring Round the Moon, adapted by Christopher Fry, is set for a run at the West End’s Playhouse Theatre. The play will begin performances on 5 February and open on 19 February.
Set at a glamorous society dance in 1950s France and played out under the dazzling lights of a winter garden, Ring Round the Moon is a comedy of mistaken identity, manners and mannerisms and affairs of the heart. Identical twins Hugo and Frederic could not be more different; Hugo appears heartless and aloof whilst his brother is thoughtful and diffident. As Hugo prepares an evening of charades and façade at the spring ball, he little expects to be outplayed by his wily aunt, who resolves his games with unexpectedly happy results.
Directed by Sean Mathias, the comedy will star J.J. Feild, Belinda Lang, Angela Thorne, Fiona Button and Elisabeth Dermot Walsh. They will be joined by Emily Bruni, Joanna David, Peter Eyre, Andrew Havill and John Ramm.
Feild (Hugo/Frederic) most recently appeared as Henry Tilney in ITV’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey and will have three films released in 2008: O Jerusalem with Ian Holm, Goal 3 and Nick Moran’s Telstar with Kevin Spacey and Pam Ferris. Ring Round the Moon will mark his West End debut. Lang (Mother) was last seen at the Haymarket in Hayfever. Her other theatre credits include What The Butler Saw (Criterion Theatre), Private Lives (Theatre Royal Bath & Tour), Dead Funny, Life X3 (both Savoy & tour), The Secret Rapture (Lyric) and The Things We Do For Love (Gielgud). Thorne (Madame Desmortes) starred on television in To The Manor Born, Foyle’s War, Three Up Two Down and Anyone for Dennis. Her theatre roles include The Reporter at the National Theatre, Quartet at the Albery Theatre and Anyone For Dennis at the Whitehall Theatre. Dermot Walsh (Diana) is currently playing Alithia in Jonathan Kent’s production of The Country Wife. Other credits include The Alchemist and The Life of Galileo at the National Theatre and the role of Mrs deWinter in the recent tour of Rebecca. Button (Isabelle) recently played Alice/Esme in Rock ‘n’ Roll at the Duke of York’s Theatre.