McBurney's fans, therefore, may be surprised that he’s turned to Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, opening at London’s National Theatre on May 27. The story of sexual corruption is a co-production between the National Theatre and Complicite.

Olivier Award winner (for the comedic The Play What I Wrote) Toby Jones plays Lucio, with David Troughton as the Duke. The cast also includes Jamie R. Bradley, Steven Crossley, Cait Davis, Johannes Flaschberger, Naomi Frederick, Mike Grady, Tamzin Griffin, Rhydian Jones, Richard Katz, Meredith MacNeill, Clive Mendus, Ben Mayjes, Kostas Philippoglou, Vinette Robinson, Paul Rhys and Angus Wright.

Tom Pye is the designer, with costumes by Christina Cunningham and lighting by Paul Anderson. Music is by Gerard McBurney, music director is Simon Deacon. The sound designer is Christopher Shutt, with video design by Simon McBurney, production designer Sven Ortel and Tom Pye.

Complicite's previous shows Mnemonic, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Out of a House Walked a Man…, The Street of Crocodiles and The Visit have all been shown at the NT. Their last London turn was The Elephant Vanishes at the Barbican Theatre.

The show is part of the theatre’s much-feted Travelex £10 season. For further information, call (0)870 060 6627.