Helmed by Equus director Thea Sharrock, Cloud Nine is set in colonial Africa and modern-day Britain. Its main theme is relationships – between women and men, men and men and women and women.

The production notes describe the play as "about sex, work, mothers, Africa, power, children, grandmothers, politics, money, Queen Victoria and sex."

The play sees its cast play both genders; for the 1979 Royal Court world premiere, Max Stafford-Clark's production featured Antony Sher, Miriam Margolyes and Julie Covington.

The Almieda production will feature James Fleet (In the Club and Mary Stuart); Mark Letheren (Find the Lady, The Secret Rapture); Tobias Menzies (The History Boys); Bo Poraj (Dr. Faustus, The Tempest); Joanna Scanlan (Vernon God Little); Sophie Stanton (Dying For It) and Nicola Walker (Tales From Vienna Woods).

Churchill's many plays include Drunk Enough to Say I Love You?, A Number, Far Away, Serious Money, Blue Heart, This is a Chair and Top Girls. In 1981 Cloud Nine opened in New York, where it played for two years Off-Broadway and has since been staged worldwide. Sharrock most recently directed "Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe and History Boys' Richard Griffiths in the West End, Broadway-bound revival of Equus. Other West End credits include A Voyage Round My Father, Heroes and Churchill's Top Girls. Sharrock's Gate Theatre production of Emperor Jones will be staged at the National Theatre in August.

For more on Cloud Nine, which will run until Dec. 8, call (0)20 7359 4404.