Full cast announced for Birmingham Rep’s new stage adaptation of Withnail and I
Birmingham Rep has announced that the BAFTA and IFTA nominated Irish actor Robert Sheehan will star as Withnail in the Birmingham Rep’s brand-new adaptation of Bruce Robinson’s 1987 British tragi-comedy film Withnail and I.
Robert has been casted alongside Adonis Siddique as Marwood with Malcolm Sinclair as Uncle Monty.
Directed by the double Olivier Award-winning Artistic Director of Birmingham Rep, Sean Foley and designed by Alice Power, Withnail and I will have its premiere at Birmingham Rep, with performances from 3 May until 25 May 2024.
The cast joining Robert, Adonis and Malcolm are Adam Young (Danny), Israel J Fredericks (Presuming Ed), Morgan Philpott (Wanker/Jake the Poacher), Matt Devitt (Farmer/Colonel & Band), Adam Sopp (Geezer/Policeman, Band & Associate MD), Sooz Kempner (Miss Blenehassitt/Policewoman & Band).
The creative team joining the writer, director and designer, Bruce Robinson, Sean Foley and Alice Power are: Jessica Hung Han Yun (lighting design), Ben & Max Ringham (sound & composition), Akhila Krishnan (video design), Candida Caldicott (music supervision), Ginny Schiller (casting director), Alison de Burgh (fight director), Sara Joyce (associate director), Simon Marlow (production manager), Jennifer Taillefer (production environmental manager), Kay Wilton (costume supervisor), Robin Morgan (props supervisor) and Andriea Nelson (wigs supervisor).
Written and adapted for the stage by Bruce Robinson himself, the writer and director of the original film, the show will bring to life some of the most iconic comic characters ever created.
The film, based on Robinson's own unpublished novel, was produced by Handmade Films and starred Richard E Grant, Paul McGann and Richard Griffiths.
Sean Foley said: "Hilarious, tragic, and wild, Withnail and I, is a comedy like no other, and I’m thrilled to be working with the legendary Bruce Robinson to bring it to life on stage.
“In fact, where better for the extraordinarily funny tale of two unemployed actors who go on holiday, ‘by mistake’? Rightly regarded as one of the finest British film's ever made, our stage version brings to life the classic dialogue, the insane situations, and above all the boozy, irresistibly hilarious relationship of one of the most famous slacker duo’s ever created."
Needing a break from the atrocious state of their acting careers during September 1969, two young unemployed actors hit upon the idea of a nice holiday to a cottage in the Lake District, owned by Withnail's wealthy Uncle Monty.
Regarded as one of the finest British film's ever made, this world premiere stage version brings to life the classic dialogue, the insane situations, and above all the boozy, irresistibly hilarious relationship of one of the most famous slacker duo’s ever created.
Withnail & I is produced for the stage by Birmingham Repertory Theatre alongside Handmade Films and George Waud for Groove International.
Pictured from left to right: Adonis Siddique, Malcolm Sinclair & Robert Sheehan
