It begins performances Jan. 12, 2011, prior to an official opening Jan. 14, for a run through Feb. 12.
Jones is joined by Niamh Cusack, who plays Sarah Danby, the mistress that Turner had two daughters with, yet never publicly acknowledged. The cast also includes Amanda Boxer, Jim Bywater, Denise Gough and Ian Midlane, in a production directed by Arcola Theatre's artistic director Mehmet Ergen, with design by Ben Stones and lighting by Emma Chapman.
According to press materials, at the start of the 19th century, a young Turner was on his way from being just a working class Cockney to a painter who would change the landscape of British and international art forever. Turner was a man obsessed. Heavily reliant on his father and deeply affected by his mother’s rejection, the intensely prolific painter was isolated from the usual breed of artists. The Painter explores the relationships, the competition with Constable and the passion of the artist on the threshold of superstardom.
Jones has appeared onstage in The Play What I Wrote (West End/Broadway, receiving an Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor in London and a Tony nomination on Broadway), and in Every Good Boy Deserves Favour and Measure for Measure at the National Theatre. He has also appeared in leading roles in the films "The Mist," "Infamous," "W" (playing Karl Rove), "The Painted Veil," "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll" and "Frost/Nixon."
Cusack was seen in His Dark Materials and The Enchantment (both National Theatre) and Dancing at Lughnasa (at the Old Vic), as well as extensive roles at the RSC. Lenkiewicz's previous plays include The Night Season and Her Naked Skin (both seen at the National Theatre) and Shoreditch Madonna (Soho Theatre). Her adaptations of Ibsen's An Enemy of the People and Ghosts were both seen at the Arcola.
Ergen is the founder and artistic director of Arcola Theatre in Dalston and Arcola Istanbul. Prior to this, he co-founded Southwark Playhouse and was artistic director there from 1993-1999. The Arcola Theatre relocates to 24 Ashwin Street in January 2011 after ten years at Arcola Street. Its new home at Colourworks, directly opposite Dalston Junction station, was the former home of Reeves whose color blocks were made famous by artists such as Turner and Constable.
To book tickets, contact the box office on 020 7503 1646, or visit www.arcolatheatre.com. Booking opens Dec. 13.
