She joins the previously announced Penelope Wilton in James Macdonald's production, which begins performances May 5, prior to an official opening May 12, for a run through July 2. Wilton plays Agnes, who lives with her husband Tobias and alcoholic sister Claire; their lives are suddenly disrupted by the arrival of a pair of lifelong friends and Julia, the daughter of Agnes and Tobias.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, Staunton will play Claire, and they will also be joined by Lucy Cohu as Julia.

Staunton was last seen at the Almeida in the world premiere of Frank McGuinness's There Came a Gypsy Riding in 2007, and was subsequently last seen on the London stage in Joe Orton's What the Butler Saw at the Trafalgar Studios. Cohu was last seen on the London stage playing the wife in a new production of Arthur Miller's Broken Glass at the Tricycle in 2010.

Director Macdonald has previously directed Judgment Day and The Triumph of Love at the Almeida. He has also directed the premieres of Cock, Drunk Enough to Say I Love You, A Number, Dying City and Blasted, all for the Royal Court. At the National, he has directed Dido Queen of Carthage, The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other and Exiles.

To book tickets, contact the box office on 020 7359 4404, or visit www.almeida.co.uk.