First look photos of The Lemon Table with Ian McDiarmid

Production images have been revealed for Julian Barnes’ The Lemon Table with Ian McDiarmid.

Directed by Michael Grandage with Titas Halder, the piece has been adapted for performance by McDiarmid.

The production will open at Salisbury Playhouse (part of Wiltshire Creative) on 20 October, with previews on 14 October, before touring to Sheffield Theatres (26 – 30 October); Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford (9 – 13 November); HOME Manchester (16 – 20 November) and Malvern Theatres (23 – 27 November).

A play in two parts, The Lemon Table celebrates a love of music, live performance, and life itself. In the first half we are introduced to an obsessive concert goer who goes to unorthodox lengths to enjoy his evening. In the other, the concert’s composer reflects on the music he has created – his successes, his failures, and the life he has lived.

A darkly funny and beautifully written piece that celebrates our return to live performance and the artists that make it.

The Lemon Table sees McDiarmid and Grandage renew their long-term creative collaboration, having previously worked together on productions including The Doctor’s Dilemma (Almeida Theatre and UK tour), The Jew of Malta (Almeida Theatre and UK tour), Henry IV (Donmar Warehouse and UK tour), and John Gabriel Borkman (Donmar Warehouse).

Ian McDiarmid said: “Two connected stories from Julian Barnes’ The Lemon Table, his witty and touching reflections on mortality and the workings of love, seem positively to invite the engagement and tensions of live performance.

“It’s a delight to be working once again with Michael Grandage and, at this particular time, to be embarking on a tour of the English regions with the enthusiastic support of a cohort of producers and venues.”

Michael Grandage added: “Ian McDiarmid is the reason I’m a director. He has been my collaborator and mentor for over a quarter of a century. We’ve worked together many times, many of those times on tour – we both believe passionately in presenting work to as wide an audience as possible.

“This year, in particular, it felt important to share this beautiful piece by Julian Barnes with audiences nationwide.”

The Lemon Table dates and tickets

Salisbury Playhouse, Wiltshire Creative
14 October – 23 October
www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk

Sheffield Theatres
26 – 30 October
www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
9 – 13 November
www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

HOME Manchester
16 – 20 November
www.homemcr.org

Malvern Theatres
23 – 27 November
www.malvern-theatres.co.uk