Cast Set for RELICS at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre
Charly Clive, JJ Feild, Sally Phillips, and Sam Swainsbury star in Ben Ockrent's new comedy.
Casting has been announced for the world premiere production of Relics by Olivier Award nominee Ben Ockrent (Honey, Edmund The Magnificent) at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. A Lyric Hammersmith Theatre production, in association with Francesca Moody Productions and Chalk Hills, Relics will run at the venue from Thursday 18 June - Saturday 18 July, with a press night of Wednesday 24 June.
Directed by Michael Longhurst (Next to Normal, Constellations), the cast features Charly Clive (Rooster, The Lazarus Project), JJ Feild (Little Disasters, A Midsummer Night's Dream), Sally Phillips (Bridget Jones, Miranda and Smack The Pony) and Sam Swainsbury (Mum, 2:22 A Ghost Story). The production marks a return to the stage for both Charly Clive, who has recently starred in Rooster on HBO opposite Steve Carrell, and Sally Phillips, who recently reprised her role as Shazza in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. JJ Feild is back on stage after filming the latest Jack Ryan feature for MGM opposite John Krasinski, while Sam Swainsbury has recently been seen in the touring production of the phenomenally successful 2.22 A Ghost Story.
“There's some Alphabites in the freezer. Pop the oven on. You can eat your own words.”
When four siblings reunite at their recently-deceased mother's home with the intention of divvying up her possessions, a long-buried family secret explodes out into the open - challenging everything they thought they knew about themselves and each other.
True to form, Liv thinks she can bulldozer her way back to how things used to be. People-pleaser, Rob, just wants everyone to get along. But Michelle's had enough of towing the fragile family line. And with prodigal son, Jonny, hellbent on pushing everyone's buttons, they all look set to lose everything - their dignity included.
The world premiere of Ben Ockrent's Relics is a darkly comic family drama about the legacies we inherit, the choices we make, and the heartbreaking compromise of growing up, directed by the award-winning Michael Longhurst.
Ben Ockrent (Writer), said: “It is the honour of my life that Relics will get to have its world premiere at the storied Lyric Hammersmith Theatre this summer. To have Michael Longhurst at the helm of this first production is additionally thrilling, and I am so looking forward to embarking on this journey with him. I also feel lucky beyond words to get to do this with a quartet of such phenomenally talented actors. Relics explores the fraught complexities of familial love and I can't wait for audiences to meet the tender, funny and flawed family which Charly, JJ, Sally and Sam will serve up to them.”
Michael Longhurst (Director), said: “I'm excited to start rehearsing Ben Ockrent's brilliant new play with this amazing group of actors. I think Ben has mined that primal, excruciatingly recognisable, tendency in us all to regress when forced to return to the family home. And what's more fun than siblings behaving badly?”
Rachel O'Riordan, Artistic Director of Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, said: “It is always a thrill to programme a world premiere, and Ben Ockrent's Relics is no exception. Directed by Michael Longhurst, this dark comedy explores the long shadow of family secrets, shared history and sibling rivalries. I cannot wait for audiences to meet this wonderful cast as they bring this delightful family drama to life on our beautiful stage.”
Francesca Moody of FMP and Holly Reiss of Chalk Hills said: "From the moment we read Ben's extraordinary play, we knew it was something truly special. We couldn't be more excited to have assembled our dream cast to bring this wildly funny and deeply moving black comedy to the stage. Collaborating with the mighty Lyric Hammersmith, formidable Mike Longhurst and an exceptional creative team is a complete joy, and we can't wait for audiences to experience the play in all its poignancy, chaos and hilarity."
The creative team includes Set & Costume Designer Joanna Scotcher, Lighting Designer Simisola Majekodunmi, Sound Designer Dan Balfour, Casting Director Anna Cooper CDG and Fight Director Bret Yount.
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