Ian Bonar, John Light and Charity Wakefield to Star in THE BLACKEST BLACK at Hampstead Downstairs

'How can you know you're loved if you're alone? You have to connect. Everybody has to connect. Nothing makes any sense without it'

Hampstead Theatre has announce dthat the cast for BAFTA winner Jeremy Brock's new play, The Blackest Black, will be Ian Bonar, John Light and Charity Wakefield.

Martin is an astronomer: a solitary, straight-laced introvert itemising the sky. Abi is an artist: a chaotic, free-spirited extrovert trying to fill the void. But something about the heat and intensity of a space observatory in the middle of the Arizona desert sparks a surprising and passionate relationship between them. And as they struggle to connect, Abi's reckless and un-boundaried nature sets in motion a deeply unsettling and wholly unexpected chain of events.

Jeremy Brock's unconventional love story asks whether the outcome of a collision resulting from the attraction of opposites is inherently unstable. Jeremy returns to playwriting for the first time in over 20 years after scripting many critically acclaimed films including Mrs Brown, The Last King of Scotland and How I Live Now.

Michael Longhurst makes his Hampstead Downstairs debut following sell-out hits Constellations (Royal Court/West End), The World of Extreme Happiness (National Theatre) and If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet (Roundabout Theatre, New York) starring Jake Gyllenhaal.

Lighting will be by Mark Howland with sound by Emma Laxton.

Ian Bonar's stage appearances include Brilliant Love (Royal Court/Manchester Royal Exchange), Me, As A Penguin (Arcola) and DNA and The Miracle (National Theatre). TV includes Southcliffe, Black Mirror 2, Secret Diary of a Call Girl and Going Postal. Film includes Jack Ryan, Bond 23:Skyfall and Tintin.

John Light's stage credits include Thom Pain (The Print Room), Luise Millar (Donmar) and The Master Builder (Almeida). Films include Albert Nobbs, Scoop, Partition and Heights. TV includes Fair Cop, Vera, Father Brown and Endeavour.

Charity Wakefield returns to Hampstead after appearing in No Naughty Bits in 2011. Other stage work includes The Cherry Orchard (National Theatre) and The Circle (Chichester Festival). TV includes Mockingbird Lane, Any Human Heart, Sense and Sensibility and Casualty 1907/9'. Films include Serena, Scar Tissue and The Raven.

The show runs 9 January - 8 February 2014. Prices: £12. Concessions £10. First 5 performances all seats £5. To Book: Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, London, NW3 3EU Tel: 020 7722 9301, or online at www.hampsteadtheatre.com.