The world premiere of Patrick Sanford's production will open at the North London venue on Jan. 22, 2008, following previews that begin Jan. 17. Sanford is artistic director of Southampton's Nuffield Theatre, with whom the Hampstead has collaborated for the play. Described as "part political thriller and part personal drama," the The President's Holiday draws on Raisa Gorbachev's diaries during the period she and her husband, the President of the Soviet Union, were held under siege in 1991.

Gold has previously written about the attempted coup in the form of the radio play Three Days That Shook the World.

Blair was most recently seen on stage in the National and West End productions of The History Boys, while Glover's stage credits include The Voysey Inheritance and The Dresser in the West End. The couple appeared as on-screen husband and wife Mr. and Mrs. Donovan in the movie "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade."

The cast also includes Robert Demeger (Romeo and Juliet, King John, Henry VI for the RSC), Anna Hewson (The Canterbury Tales) and Roger May (The Last Confession).

The Hampstead's Russian season continues with Three Sisters on Hope Street, a Jewish version by Diane Samuels and Tracy-Anne Oberman of Chekhov's classic; and a revival of Shared Experience's adaptation of War and Peace. The season ends in June with Labour, by Steve Waters, described as a hard-hitting drama about illegal immigration.

For more on the Hampstead's season call 020 7722 9301.