Directed by Jamie Lloyd, the production begins performances at the Donmar Warehouse Sept. 10, prior to an official opening Sept. 21, for a season through Nov. 27. Strallen will play the role of Clara, originally created by Marin Mazzie in the show's 1994 Broadway premiere, and Thaxton will play Giorgio, originated by Jere Shea, opposite Roger's Fosca.

Strallen has been seen both in the West End and subsequently on Broadway in the title role of Mary Poppins; other West End credits include taking over as Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium and appearing in the original casts of Mamma Mia!, The Witches of Eastwick and Peggy Sue Got Married. She has also starred in HMS Pinafore at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park and in Merry Wives – the Musical for the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford-upon-Avon.

Welsh-born Thaxton is currently making his West End debut as Enjolras in Les Miserables at the Queen's Theatre. He has previously appeared as a soloist in the opening gala for the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, and as the Foreman in Trial by Jury for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales that was subsequently recorded. He has also been seen regionally in John Doyle's production of The Tailor's Daughter for Welsh National Opera, Sweeney Todd at Norwich Playhouse, and The Cunning Little Vixen at Cardiff's Sherman Theatre.

According to an interview in London's Daily Mail, director Jamie Lloyd said of Thaxton's audition, "He did material from the show and he's just exceptional. I got really excited seeing someone new. For some reason, Passion is often cast older, but when I saw Scarlett and David together they were romantically and erotically charged and quite hot."

To book tickets, contact the box office at 0844 871 7624, or visit www.donmarwarehouse.com.