Prepare To Be Terrified As The Exorcist Comes To Wimbledon
Stage version of one of the scariest movies of all time will be in SW19
The stage version of one of the scariest movies of all time – The Exorcist – will be frightening audiences in Wimbledon later this month.
Based on the best-selling novel by William Peter Blatty and inspired by true events, this version been adapted for stage by John Pielmeier and directed by Sean Mathias (Waiting for Godot, No Man’s Land), featuring the voice of Ian McKellen as the Demon.
It stars BAFTA award winner Paul Nicholas, most recognised for playing the role of Vince Pinner in the celebrated British sitcom Just Good Friends. He plays Father Merin.
Alongside Paul will be TV star Sophie Ward, best known for her roles in Holby City and Heartbeat playing Chris MacNeil, and household name Ben Caplan best known for his time as Sgt. Peter Noakes in Call the Midwife, who will play Father Damien.
The film adaptation of The Exorcist sparked unprecedented worldwide controversy when it was released in cinemas in 1973. Winner of two Academy Awards, William Friedkin’s masterpiece saw audiences petrified to the point of passing out and went on to become one of the top ten highest grossing films of all time.
When the medical profession fails to provide answers to young Regan’s strange symptoms, her desperate mother Chris turns to a local priest for help. But before Father Damien can tackle what’s before him, he must overcome his own shaken beliefs, as this fight is for more than just one girl’s soul.
The cast is completed by Tristram Wymark, Henry Labouchere in Victoria; Stephen Billington, D.I. Knight in Armchair Detectives; Patrick Toomey Christopher Sutherland in Holby City; Joseph Wilkins of Young Marx at The Bridge Theatre; Susannah Edgley who starred in The Exorcist in the West End; Jonathan Blakeley from The Mousetrap and making her professional debut is Eliza Capel.
This production is designed by Olivier Award winning set designer Anna Fleischle (Death of a Salesman, Young Vic and Home, I’m Darling, National Theatre). Lighting Design is by multi-award winning designer Philip Gladwell (A Very Very Very Dark Matter, The Bridge Theatre). Composition and Sound Design is by Tony Award winning Adam Cork (London Road, National Theatre). Illusions are by Gold Star Member of the Inner Magic Circle Ben Hart best known for his illusions on Britain’s Got Talent. Projection Design is by long-time collaborators Jon Driscoll and Gemma Carrington (Brief Encounter, Birdsong and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland).
It runs at New Wimbledon Theatre from September 24 to September 28.
September 9, 2019