Rarely performed in the UK Margaret Edson’s powerful Pulitzer Prize winning play WIT comes to the Royal Exchange Theatre in January. Returning to the Exchange award-winning actor Julie Hesmondhalgh takes on the lead role of the brilliant Vivian Bearing, an exacting English Professor of outstanding merit.
Directed by Raz Shaw this arresting and uplifting play asks what aspects of our lives make life truly worth living? An elegant exploration of humanity, Edson’s sharply funny play explores the fragility of life and the power of redemption. WIT will be performed in the Theatre from 21 January – 13 February.
When Vivian Bearing, a demanding Professor of metaphysical poetry, an expert in the complex Holy Sonnets of John Donne, is diagnosed with a hard-hitting form of cancer she is determined to stay in control. Approaching this aggressive illness with the same painstaking rationalism with which she has conducted her career she becomes caught between metaphysics, medicine and her own mettle. Accepting of a new and experimental treatment Vivian is drawn to the discipline of medical research, but as the cancer takes an unbreakable hold Vivian begins to realise that it is never too late for kindness, compassion and grace.
Julie Hesmondhalgh who returns to the Exchange said ‘At its most simple Wit is about life, love, sickness and death, something we can all relate to. But it’s so much more intricate than that, it is a beautiful play that is full of grace and redemption’
Jenny Platt, former Coronation Street regular, takes on the role of nurse Susie Monahan, smart and intuitively benevolent, Susie helps to unlock Vivian’s ability to find peace with herself. The cast is completed by Esh Alladi, Niki Angus Campbell, Okorie Chukwu, Tom Hodgkins, Haruka Kuroda and Julie Legrand.
The creative team includes Designer Hannah Clark who returns following her designs for THE CRACKS IN MY SKIN and WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, Lighting Designer Jack Knowles and Sound Designer Mark Melville.
WIT – Listings Information
The Royal Exchange Theatre present
WIT
By Margaret Edson
Director Raz Shaw
Designer Hannah Clark
Thursday 21 January – Saturday 13 February – The Theatre
