Hampstead Theatre's CHARIOTS OF FIRE Opens Tonight, May 9

Hampstead Theatre's World Premiere of CHARIOTS OF FIRE, opens tonight, 9 May and runs to Saturday 16 June 2012.  For tickets and more information, visit: www.hampsteadtheatre.com.

A cast of 21 includes James McArdle as Harold Abrahams, Jack Lowden as Eric Liddell, Sam Archer, Joe Bannister, Antonia Bernath, Natasha Broomfield, Gareth Charlton, Henry Davis, Mark Edel-Hunt, Lloyd Everitt, Daniel Fraser, Nickolas Grace, Leemore Marrett Jr., David Newman, Matthew Pearson, Simon Slater, Savannah Stevenson, Paul Tinto, Simon Williams, Tam Williams and Nicholas Woodeson.

This play is adapted for the stage by Mike Bartlett, based on the Enigma Productions Motion Picture, by arrangement with Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation and Allied Stars S.A. Panama, original screenplay by Colin Welland, directed by Edward Hall, designed by Miriam Buether with costumes by Michael Howells, lighting by Rick Fisher, choreography by Scott Ambler and sound by Paul Groothuis and original music by Vangelis with additional music by Jason Carr.

A devout Scottish Christian runs for the glory of God. The son of an immigrant Lithuanian Jew runs to overcome prejudice. Two young track athletes who live for the beautiful purity of running and who prevail in the face of overwhelming odds at the 1924 Olympic Games. Based on the extraordinary true story of Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams, Chariots of Fire is an inspirational tale of hope, honour and belief.

Award-winning playwright Mike Bartlett brings one of the most thrilling Olympic stories to the stage for the first time in a new adaptation inspired by Colin Welland’s original screenplay. Directed by Hampstead Theatre’s Artistic Director Edward Hall, Chariots of Fire will be performed on a spectacular set by award-winning designer Miriam Buether, which transforms Hampstead Theatre into a stadium, making an immersive experience that evokes the 1924 Paris games. The production will also feature the legendary music of the Vangelis score with additional live music and arrangements by Tony Award-winning composer Jason Carr.

Mike Bartlett is an increasingly important voice in modern theatre. His plays include Decade (Headlong Theatre), Earthquakes in London (Headlong and National Theatre), 13 (National Theatre), Love, Love, Love (Paines Plough) and Cock, Contractions and My Child (Royal Court). He is Writer-in-Residence at The National Theatre. His play c*ckwon a 2010 Olivier award for Outstanding Achievement and he won the Writer’s Guild Tinniswood and Imison prizes for Not Talking, a radio play for BBC.

Edward Hall was appointed the Artistic Director of Hampstead Theatre in 2010, making it one of London’s most prominent producing theatres, and for which he has directed No Naughty Bits, Loyalty and Enlightenment. He is also Artistic Director of Propeller, the all male Shakespeare Company who recently toured the hugely successful Richard III and The Comedy of Errors, and is currently touring Henry V and The Winter’s Tale.

Miriam Buether's credits for theatre include: Decade (Headlong Theatre), Earthquakes in London (Headlong and National Theatre), Sucker Punch (Royal Court; Evening Standard Award); Judgement Day (Almeida), In the Red and Brown Water (Young Vic), The Wonderful World of Dissocia (Critics Award for Theatre in Scotland).?Her dance credits include: Body of Poetry (Komische Oper Berlin); Possibly Six, Tenderhooks (Canadian National Ballet); Cinderella (Goteborg Opera). Her opera credits include: Anna Nicole (ROH); Turandot (ENO); The Death of Klinghoffer (Scottish National Opera), and the forthcoming Trittico/ Suor Angelica (ROH).

Greek composer Vangelis is best known for his Academy Award winning score for the film Chariots of Fire, and scores for the films Blade Runner, 1492: Conquest of Paradise and Alexander. There will be additional music by Tony Award-winning composer Jason Carr. His credits include orchestration of Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George, A Little Night Music and La Cage Aux Folles.

Jack Lowden plays Eric Liddell. Jack’s previous performance credits include a leading role in Black Watch (National Theatre of Scotland), television roles in Blue Haven (Kudos), Being Victor (Shed Media) and in the film UWANTME2KILLHIM.

James McArdle plays Harold Abrahams. Previous stage work includes The Heart of Robin Hood (RSC), Emperor & Galilean (National Theatre), A Month in The Country (Chichester Festival Theatre), Spur of The Moment (Royal Court) and Macbeth (Globe Theatre). Television appearances include The Best Possible Taste (Mammoth Screen Ltd), Appropriate Adult (ITV) and Page Eight (BBC/ NBC). He also appeared in the film Private Peaceful (Fluidity Films).

Nickolas Grace plays the Master of Trinity. His many stage appearances include most recently Mahler’s Conversion (Aldwych Theatre) and The Drowsy Chaperone (Novello Theatre). Television roles include Robin of Sherwood (Goldcrest Films & Television), Shellseekers and The Commander (ITV) and Daniel Deronda (BBC). Feature Film roles include The Golden Bowl (Merchant-Ivory), Tom & Viv (New Era Films), Two Deaths (BBC), The Hardest Part and These Foolish Things.

Simon Williams plays The Master of Caius. On stage he has appeared in Yes, Prime Minister (Apollo Theatre & National Tour), The Power of Yes (National Theatre), Hay Fever (Chichester Festival Theatre) and The Deep Blue Sea (Vaudeville Theatre). Television includes Murdoch Mysteries (Shaftesbury Murdoch IV Inc.), Merlin (Shine Ltd),The Queen (Blast Films) and Above Suspicion: Red Dahlia (La Plante Productions).