Hayley Atwell and Ian McDiarmid to Star in Premiere of The Faith Machine at London's Royal Court

By Mark Shenton
05 Jul 2011

Hayley Atwell
Hayley Atwell

Hayley Atwell and Ian McDiarmid will star in the world premiere of Alexi Kaye Campbell's third play The Faith Machine, beginning performances Aug. 25 at London's Royal Court Theatre prior to an official opening Aug. 31. It is booking through Oct. 1.

Directed by Jamie Lloyd, who also directed Campbell's debut play The Pride at the Royal Court, the cast also includes Jude Akuwudike, Bronagh Gallagher, Kezrena James, Kyle Soller, Maya Wasowicz and Alan Westaway.

Set on a beautiful September morning in New York, Sophie forces Tom into a decision. The choice he makes, and the events of that day will change their lives forever. According to press materials, "this epic play – which travels from America and Britain to a remote Greek island -- explores the relationship between faith and capitalism and asks fundamental questions about the true meaning of love."

Hayley Atwell plays Sophie. Previously seen onstage in A View from the Bridge in the West End (for which she was nominated for an Olivier Award), she has also been seen at the National in Major Barbara and Man of Mode and in Women Beware Women at the RSC. TV credits include Freya in "Any Human Heart," and film roles include "Captain America; The First Avenger," "The Duchess," "Brideshead Revisited" and "Cassandra's Dream."

Ian McDiarmid plays her father Edward, a bishop with liberal views. He is currently appearing on stage at the National Theatre in Ibsen's Emperor and Galilean. Other recent credits include The Prince of Homburg and Be Near Me both at the Donmar Warehouse, and adapting and starring in Six Characters in Search of an Author (Chichester's Minerva Theatre and West End's Gielgud). He was joint artistic director of the Almeida Theatre from 1990-2002 with Jonathan Kent.

Kyle Soller plays Tom. His is currently appearing on stage at the Young Vic in The Government Inspector, where he previously appeared in The Glass Menagerie.

Jamie Lloyd is an associate at the Donmar Warehouse, where he has directed The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee, Piaf and Polar Bears. In the West End, he has directed Three Days of Rain and The Little Dog Laughed.

The production will be designed by Mark Thompson with lighting by Neil Austin, music and sound by Alex Baranowski and video by Lorna Heavey.

To book tickets, contact the box office on 020 7565 5000, or visit www.royalcourttheatre.com.