ABOUT THE PLAY

 

Joseph Fiennes stars as the charismatic ‘George Dillon’, in a major new production of John Osborne and Anthony Creighton’s Epitaph for George Dillon. Penniless writer and aspiring actor George enters the unhappy suburban life of the Elliot family. His bohemian lifestyle challenges the humdrum existence of the family; and although appealing, there is ultimately a price to pay. This rarely performed domestic and political drama of hope and disillusionment has not been seen in London since the 1950s. Now, revived with a superb cast under the direction of Peter Gill, it returns to the Comedy Theatre, home to the original production which transferred from the Royal Court and subsequently won three Tony Award nominations in New York including Best Play. Fiennes won international stardom for his role in the Oscar-winning film Shakespeare in Love, Elizabeth, Enemy at the Gate and The Merchant of Venice, and is considered one of the most exciting actors of his generation. His stage roles include Trevor Nunn’s Loves Labours Lost at the National Theatre, Real Classy Affair, Edward II, The Woman in Black, As You Like It, The Herbal Bed and Month in the Country.

 

CAST &CREATIVE

George Dillon - Joseph Fiennes

Mrs. Elliot - Anne Reid

Josie Elliot - Zoe Tapper

Barney Evans - Stephen Greif

Ruth Gray - Francesca Annis

Mr. Webb - Alex Dunbar

Percy Elliot - Geoffrey Hutchings

Norah Elliot - Dorothy Atkinson

Geoffrey Colwyn-Stuart - Hugh Simon

​

Author - John Osborne And Anthony Creighton

Director - Peter Gill

Design - John Gunter

Lighting - Hugh Vanstone

Music - David Shrubsole

Sound - Gareth Owen

 

QUOTES & REVIEWS

 

Joseph Fiennes and Francesca Annis head AN OUTSTANDING CAST

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

 

This collaborative work is a genuine ensemble piece

THE INDEPENDENT

 

Peter Gill powerfully stages the play

THE EVENING STANDARD

 

A beautifully observed production…A GEM

DAILY MAIL

 

Feverish writing, hot-to-the-touch performances…

A GREAT NIGHT AT THE THEATRE

SUNDAY TIMES

 

The central scene between George and Ruth is the best stage acting that either Joseph Fiennes or Francesca Annis have given us for 10 years

FINANCIAL TIMES

 

Excellent performances

FINANCIAL TIMES

 

Annis plays with impeccable grace

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

 

Fiennes memorably captures Dillon

DAILY TELEGRAPH

 

The whole company is strong

DAILY MAIL

 

Anne Reid - Superb performance

INDEPENDENT

 

Brilliantly played by Stephen Greif

GUARDIAN

 

Geoffrey Hutchings is hilarious

INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY

 

Excellent performances

Financial Times

 

Zoe Tapper hilariously plays Josie

Evening Standard

 

The family are all drawn with marvellous detail…

an ensemble piece

DAILY TELEGRAPH

 

Gills fine production honours an unjustly neglected play

GUARDIAN

 

This is a welcome return for Epitaph For George Dillon

EXPRESS

 

Peter Gill directs a brilliantly judged, wonderfully detailed production.

THIS MIGHT JUST BE OSBORNE’S GREATEST PLAY

DAILY TELEGRAPH

 

Excellently played by Joseph Fiennes.

TIMES

 

John Gunters set frames the action beautifully

METRO

 

Francesca Annis Ruth has magnetic elegance

INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY

 

Fiennes revs up to such contortions of sarcasm that,

had George been born 30 years later, he would have

been fronting the Sex Pistols

SUNDAY TIMES

 

What a beautiful performance Miss Reid gives

DAILY MAIL

 

OSBORNE ARRIVES IN A BLAZE OF PASSION

GUARDIAN