DOWNTON ABBEY's Laura Carmichael to Star in APOLOGIA at Trafalgar Studios

Final casting has been announced for Apologia, which will begin previews on 29th July at Trafalgar Studios. Laura Carmichael will join previously announced Tony and Emmy award winner Stockard Channing, Freema Agyeman, Joseph Millson and Olivier Award winner Desmond Barrit in a new production of Alexi Kaye Campbell's darkly funny and haunting play about family and its secrets, directed by Jamie Lloyd.

Laura Carmichael is best known for her hugely popular portrayal of 'Lady Edith Crawley' in ITV's award winning series DOWNTON ABBEY. She was last seen on stage at the Trafalgar Studios playing 'Mistress' in the Jamie Lloyd adaptation of THE MAIDS, Jean Genet's intense psychological thriller. Laura's most recent film appearance was her portrayal of 'Muriel Williams' in Amma Asante's feature A UNITED KINGDOM.

Laura says: I'm thrilled to be joining this wonderfully talented cast of Apologia. Alexi Kaye Campbell's play deeply moved me, as well as making me laugh; it really took me through every emotion, so I think audiences will be in for a treat. I know what a brilliant experience it is to have Jamie Lloyd as a director, so I'm delighted to be working with him again, and to be returning to Trafalgar Studios."

Carmichael will play the role of Trudi, the American partner of Peter (Joseph Millson), who is the older son of Kristin Miller (Stockard Channing). Miller is a firebrand liberal matriarch and eminent art historian. A birthday gathering should be a cause for celebration but the cracks in her family relationships are brought to the surface by the recent publication of her memoir. As the darkly funny evening progresses, secrets emerge about the sacrifices she has made and about the price paid by those she loves.

Apologia follows Olivier Award winning Alexi Kaye Campbell's critical success with The Pride and his acclaimed plays Sunset at The Villa Thalia at the National Theatre and The Faith Machine at The Royal Court Theatre.

This production marks the return to the Trafalgar Studios of the multi-award winning Jamie Lloyd, following his critically acclaimed productions of The Ruling Class and Macbeth starring James McAvoy and his hit production with Martin Freeman of Richard III.

Apologia is produced by Howard Panter for Trafalgar Entertainment Group, DB Productions and Broadway's Dodger Theatricals.

The producers of Apologia are also delighted to continue Jamie Lloyd's pioneering commitment to ensuring that tickets to the highest qualiTy West End dramas remain affordable and accessible, particularly to younger audience members. As such two exciting new ticketing initiatives are announced for the production:

· TodayTix £15 RUSH EXCLUSIVE: In partnership with TodayTix, a daily rush scheme will see the front row for every performance sold at £15, allowing people to access the best seats via the app.

· £25 UNDER 25 RATE: A general under 25s rate of £25 (redeemable for any standard-priced seat, subject to availability at time of booking) will also be available throughout the run for every performance Monday - Thursday. This rate will be available through ATG Tickets.

www.atgtickets.com/trafalgarstudios /