Róisín McBrinn will direct Mark Bonnar in Alessandro Baricco's Novecento, and Chris Rolls directs Frances Barber, Tom Byam Shaw, Anthony Calf, Elaine Cassidy and Sylvestra Le Touzel in Cocteau’s Les Parents Terribles.
Novecento, which begins performances Oct. 28 prior to an official opening Nov. 1, for a run through Nov. 20, revolves around what press materials call "the greatest jazz musician the world would never know." For six years before World War II, Tim Tooney played trumpet with him and Novecento gave him his story. Tooney is played by Mark Bonnar, who has previously appeared in Twelfth Night (for the Donmar West End season at Wyndham's) and Parade (at the Donmar itself). He has appeared at the National Theatre in Dido Queen of Carthage, Philistines and Cyrano de Bergerac.
Les Parents Terribles, which begins performances Nov. 25 prior to an official opening Nov. 29 for a run through Dec. 18, is set in a bohemian household in ‘30s Paris. When Michael declares his love for a girl, his devoted mother Yvonne burns with jealousy while his father is shocked to discover that his son's lover is someone he knows only too well.
Frances Barber, who plays Yvonne, has previously appeared for the Donmar in Madame de Sade (Donmar West End) and Insignificance. Other recent credits include a world tour of King Lear and The Seagull for the RSC that included runs at London's New London Theatre and New York's BAM.
Tom Byam Shaw, who plays Michael, has appeared in Salome for Headlong. Anthony Calf, who plays George, has previously appeared at the Donmar in The Hotel in Amsterdam. Other recent credits include The White Guard, Gethsemene and The False Servant, all at the National Theatre. Elaine Cassidy, who plays Madeleine, has appeared in There Came a Gypsy Riding at the Almeida, The Crucible for the RSC, and Scenes from the Big Picture at the National. Sylvestra Le Touzel, who plays Leo, has previously appeared in the Donmar West End season of Ivanov opposite Kenneth Branagh. To book tickets, contact the box office on 0844 871 7632, or visit www.donmarwarehouse.com.
