Roger Michell will direct Joanna Murray-Smith's play, which is scheduled to begin previews at the Vaudeville Theatre July 10 with an official opening July 16. The production is currently booking through Oct. 4. Joining Atkins onstage will be Paul Chahidi, Anna Maxwell Martin, Con O'Neill, Sophie Thompson and Sam Kelly. The production will feature designs by Mark Thompson, lighting by James Whiteside and sound by Matt McKenzie.

"Margot Mason is a literary giant on a deadline," according to press notes. "When an uninvited fan arrives unexpectedly at her home, followed by her family and friends, Margot's feminist world begins to spiral hilariously out of control."

The Female of the Species is being produced in the West End by David Richenthal and Mary Beth O'Connor, Nica Burns and Max Weitzenhoffer for Nimax Theatres.

On Broadway Eileen Atkins has appeared in Doubt, The Killing of Sister George, The Promise, Vivat!, Regina and Indiscretions. Her Off-Broadway credits include A Room of One's Own, for which she received a Drama Desk Award, and Vita and Virginia, which she wrote. She also starred in the London and New York mountings of The Unexpected Man.

Playwright Murray-Smith is also the author of Honour, which played the National Theatre starring Atkins and Corin Redgrave; Scenes from a Marriage; Bombshells; Ninety; Rapture; Nightfall; Love Child; and Flame and Redemption.

Show times are Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30 PM, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2:30 PM.

The Vaudeville Theatre is located at 404 The Strand in London. For tickets, priced £22.00-£47.50, call 0844 412 4663. Visit www.nimaxtheatres.com for more information.