Old Vic Theatre

Catch two Downton Abbey stars, Penelope Wilton and Michael Pennington, on stage together with Fanny and Alexander tickets

Acclaimed filmmaker Ingmar Bergman’s award-winning masterpiece Fanny & Alexander receives a screen to stage adaptation as part of the Old Vic’s 2018 season. Translated for the stage by BAFTA Award-winning writer Stephen Beresford, who is best known for Pride, the production marks the beginning of the theatre’s new season, which includes Mood Music, A Monster Calls and Sylvia.

Set in 1900’s Sweden, against a faded backdrop of romance and glamour, Fanny & Alexander is the story of two young siblings whose lives are turned upside down when their widowed mother remarries. With the newest member of their family is an iron-willed local bishop, child-like imagination clashes with rigid orthodoxy and rules, in a magical tale of childhood, family and love.

Based on the well-known 1982 film of the same name, which earned the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, the story is created by Ingmar Bergman, whose other works include Through a Glass Darkly and The Best Intentions.

Casting includes award-winning actress Penelope Wilton as Mrs Helena Ekdahl, alongside Michael Pennington as Isak Jacobi/Death, Jonathan Slinger as Gustav Adolf Ekdahl, Catherine Walker as Emilie Ekdahl and Lolita Chakrabarti as Alma Ekdahl/Helena Vergerus. Further casting includes Thomas Arnold as Carl Ekdahl/Mr Landhal, Kevin Doyle as Bishop Edvard Vergerus, Karina Fernandez as Lydia Ekdahl/Justina, Annie Firbank as Vega/Blenda Vergerus, Matt Gavin as Michael Bergman/Aron Retzinsky, Gloria Obianyo as Petra Ekdahl/Pauline/Ismael Retzinsky, Vivian Oparah as Maj and Sargon Yelda as Oscar Ekdhl.

Additional casting includes ensemble members Tim Lewis, Hannah James Scott and Gary Mackay, and the role of Fanny is alternated by Zaris Angel Hator, Amy Jayne Leigh, Molly Shenker and Katie Simons, whilst the role of Alexander is alternated by Guillermo Bedward, Kit Connor, Jack Falk and Misha Handley.

Fanny & Alexander is directed by the Old Vic’s Associate Director Max Webster, whose credits include Dr Seuss’s The Lorax and Cover My Tracks. The production features set design by Tom Pye, costume design by Laura Hopkins, lighting design by Mark Henderson and sound design by Tom Gibbons, as well as movement direction by Toby Sedgwick, original compositions by Alex Baranowski and illusions by Ben Hart. Casting is yet to be announced.

A dark, magical and thoroughly gripping tale about imagination, authority and being a child, Fanny & Alexander plays at the Old Vic Theatre for a limited season, from March 1st to April 14th 2018, with previews beginning February 21st 2018.

Child Friendly

Fanny & Alexander is recommended for those aged 16 and up.