They only see the script when they arrive on stage

Richard Gadd, Nick Mohammed, John Bishop and Sally Phillips are among the comics taking part in an experimental West End play.

In White Rabbit Red Rabbit a different actor takes to the stage every night with no idea what they are about to perform. Instead, the script awaits them in a sealed envelope.

The drama comes from Iranian writer Nassim Soleimanpour and premiered at the 2011 Edinburgh festival. It mixes elements of comedy and tragedy, has been described as a reflection on power dynamics in contemporary Iran and cross the world.

A-listers who have taken part in previous productions include Whoopi Goldberg, Nathan Lane, Stephen Rea, and Cynthia Nixon.

The new run at Soho Place in London from October 1 to 19 also features comics Catherine Tate, Alan Davies, Mathew Baynton, Keith Allen and Ben Bailey Smith.

Here is the scheduled cast, though it is subject to change,

Tuesday 1 October (8pm): Nick Mohammed
Wednesday 2 October (8pm): Mathew Baynton
Thursday 3 October (8pm): Jill Halfpenny
Friday 4 October (8pm): Michael Sheen
Saturday 5 October (3pm): Daisy Edgar Jones
Saturday 5 October (8pm): Pearl Mackie
Sunday 6 October (2pm): Ben Bailey Smith
Sunday 6 October (8pm): Jason Isaacs

Tuesday 8 October (8pm): Olly Alexander
Wednesday 9 October (8pm): Kate Fleetwood
Thursday 10 October (8pm): Alfred Enoch
Friday 11 October (8pm): John Bishop
Saturday 12 October (3pm): Tonia Sotiropoulou
Saturday 12 October (8pm): Jonathan Pryce
Sunday 13 October (2pm): Keith Allen
Sunday 13 October (6pm): Richard Gadd
Monday 14 October (8pm): Omari Douglas
Tuesday 15 October (8pm): Alan Davies
Wednesday 16 October (8pm): Sally Phillips
Thursday 17 October (8pm): Catherine Tate
Friday 18 October (8pm): Freema Agyeman
Saturday 19 October (2pm): Julie Hesmondhalgh
Saturday 19 October (5pm): Joe Dempsie
Saturday 19 October (8pm): Callum Scott Howells

Published: 17 Aug 2024