Cast announced for world premiere of Richard Bean’s To Have and To Hold at Hampstead Theatre

Casting has been announced for the world premiere of Richard Bean’s new comedy play To Have and To Hold at Hampstead Theatre.

The production will run at the London venue from 20 October – 25 November.

Alun Armstrong (New Tricks, BBC One; Sweeney Todd, National Theatre; Endgame, Donmar) will play Jack Kirk and is joined by Marlene Sidaway (Mum, BBC; The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, UK tour) as his wife Flo Kirk.

Alongside Armstrong and Sidaway as Jack and Flo’s children are Christopher Fulford (Loot, Park Theatre; Screw, Channel 4) and Hermione Gulliford (The Southbury Child, Bridge Theatre; Romeo & Juliet, Globe).

The cast is completed with Rachel Dale (The Hypocrite, RSC; The Bay, ITV) and Adrian Hood (Harvest, Royal Court; The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, West End).

Directed by Richard Wilson, To Have and To Hold tackles the prickly problem of dealing with ageing parents who just don’t want to be dealt with.

After sixty years of marriage, happily settled into their retirement village in Yorkshire, Jack and Florence have elevated bickering almost to the status of high art. That said, they’re otherwise getting along fine with the support of a cousin and the hilarious interventions of the man known locally as ‘Rhubarb Eddie’.

But will their anxious son, shuttling between London and LA, and their errant daughter, who’s contemplating a move to Australia, leave them to live out their days in peace?

The production will be designed by James Cotterill with lighting by Bethany Gupwell and sound by John Leonard. The casting director is Robert Sterne CDG and assistant director is Jos Vantyler.

For more information and tickets, visit hampsteadtheatre.com