Punch, who will play the leading role Paige Britain, the ambitious young news editor of The Free Press, a tabloid newspaper locked in a never-ending battle for more readers, has previously appeared onstage in Boy Gets Girl (Royal Court); A Carpet, A Pony, and A Monkey (Bush Theatre); and The Graduate (Gielgud Theatre). TV credits include "Ben and Kate," "Vexed" and "The Class." Her many film credits include"You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger," "Hot Fuzz," "St. Trinian’s," "Bad Teacher," "Being Julia," "Are You Ready for Love" and "Dinner for Schmucks." She plays Lucinda in the forthcoming film version of "Into the Woods"



Ben Mansfield also newly joins members of the original NT company, which comprises Sarah Annis, Ross Boatman, Robert Calvert, William Chubb, Dermot Crowley, Jo Dockery, Robert Glenister, Ian Hallard, James Harkness, Scott Karim, Barbara Kirby, Nicholas Lumley, Ben Mansfield, Maggie McCarthy, Iain Mitchell, Miles Mitchell, Aaron Neil, Lucy Punch, Nick Sampson, Kellie Shirley, Kiruna Stamell, Harriet Thorpe, Rupert Vansittart, Joseph Wilkins and Andrew Woodall.

According to press materials, Great Britain is an anarchic and foul-mouthed satire about the press, the police and the political establishment. It is directed by Nicholas Hytner, with designs by Tim Hatley, video design by 59 Productions, lighting by Neil Austin, music by Grant Olding and sound by Paul Arditti.



To book tickets and for further details, visit GreatBritainOnstage.com.