Photo Flash: The Female of the Species

Roger Michell will direct a cast led by Eileen Atkins in Joanna Murray-Smith's latest play, The Female of the Species, opening at the Vaudeville Theatre on 16 July, with previews from 10 July.

Joining Atkins are Paul Chahidi, Anna Maxwell Martin, Con O'Neill, SopHie Thompson and Sam Kelly.  Designs are by Mark Thompson, with lighting by James Whiteside and sound by Matt McKenzie.  The Female of the Species is produced in the West End by David Richenthal and Mary Beth O'Connor, Nica Burns and Max Weitzenhoffer for Nimax Theatres.  

Margot Mason is a literary giant on a deadline.  When an uninvited fan arrives unexpectedly at her home, followed by her family and friends, Margot's feminist world begins to spiral hilariously out of control.

Multi award-winning actor Dame Eileen Atkins (Margot Mason) has most recently been seen on stage playing Mrs Rafi in Jonathan Kent's production of Edward Bond's The Sea at the Theatre Royal Haymarket and Bridget in Michael Attenborough's production of Frank McGuinness' There Came a Gypsy Riding at The Almeida Theatre.  She has worked extensively for The National Theatre including most recently, Honour, and the Royal Shakespeare Company, including The Unexpected Man, which later transferred to Broadway.  Her other theatre work includes The Birthday Party at the Duchess Theatre, A Delicate Balance at the Haymarket and Vita and Virginia, her own play, which premiered at Chichester Festival Theatre before transferring to the West End.  In 2006 she played Sister Aloysius on Broadway in John Patrick Shanley's award-winning Doubt.  Her many film credits include Wolf, Vanity Fair, Ask The Dust, Cold Mountain, The Hours, Jack and Sarah and Gosford Park.  On television her credits include Upstairs, Downstairs – which she co-created, Cold Comfort Farm, The Maitlands and Bertie, Elizabeth and Ballet Shoes, as well as Cranford for which she has recently received the BAFTA Television Best Actress Award for her portrayal of Miss Deborah Jenkyns.

Anna Maxwell Martin

Company of The Female of the Species

SopHie Thompson and Anna Maxwell Martin

Eileen Atkins

Eileen Atkins

Photos by Manuel Harlan.

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