John Logan’s Double Feature to make world premiere at Hampstead Theatre

Hampstead Theatre has revealed the full cast for the world premiere of Double Feature, a new play by acclaimed Golden Globe and Tony award-winning writer John Logan.

Scheduled to run at the London venue from 8 February to 16 March 2024 on the Main Stage, the play promises to be a captivating exploration of the film industry’s glamour and grit.

Directed by Jonathan Kent, Double Feature delves into the power dynamics of Hollywood, questioning whether true influence lies with the movie star or the director. The play features a stellar cast portraying iconic figures from the film world:

– Ian McNeice, known for his roles in Archie, Doc Martin (ITV), and The King’s Speech (Wyndhams), will bring to life the legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock.
– Joanna Vanderham, celebrated for her performances in Richard III (Almeida), Othello (RSC), and The Go-Between (BBC), will portray Hitchcock’s muse, Tippi Hedren.
– The role of Vincent Price, the esteemed horror genre hero, will be played by Jonathan Hyde, known for his work in Titanic, A Very English Scandal (BBC), and Hamlet (Theatre Royal Windsor).
– Rowan Polonski, who has appeared in The Comedy of Errors (RSC) and Shakespeare in Love (Theatre Royal Bath), will take on the role of the ambitious young director Michael Reeves.

Set in the heart of Hollywood, the play navigates the intricate relationship between a great director and his star during the shooting of Marnie. Amidst the pressures of the spotlight, Tippi Hedren grapples with the demands of being constantly camera-ready. The narrative also shifts to Suffolk in 1967, where Michael Reeves faces challenges while creating his masterpiece Witchfinder General, especially with his aging star, Vincent Price.

Jonathan Kent returns to Hampstead where his previous productions include Good People, The Slaves of Solitude and The Forest. He said: “I’m delighted to be directing John Logan’s dazzling and surprising new play which examines the shifting power dynamic between two great directors and their iconic stars. As a hugely distinguished screenwriter and playwright, he recognises the complex, ambiguous and, sometimes, dangerous relationship that can exist between actor and director – and the alchemy that creates art in the cinema”

Kent is joined by designer Anthony Ward, lighting designer Hugh Vanstone, sound designer Paul Groothuis and associate director, Stephen Whitson. The casting director is Sarah Bird CDG.

For more information, visit hampsteadtheatre.com