In Person

The Real Thing

03 Oct–26 Oct 2024

What you need to know

Dates

03 Oct–26 Oct 2024

About the show

‘There are no commitments, only bargains.’

Annie is an actress, Henry is a playwright, and fiction is the backdrop to life. Hardly a recipe for a faithful marriage, especially when it started as an affair.

But does it matter how it began if what they have is the real thing?

Diving through layers of play and performance, reality and deceit, The Real Thing is Tom Stoppard’s kaleidoscopic comedy of love, infidelity and the stories we tell. Starring James McArdle (Mare of Easttown, The Tragedy of Macbeth), Bel Powley (A Small Light, The Morning Show), Oliver Johnstone (All My Sons, Henry V) and Susan Wokoma (Cheaters, Enola Holmes 1 and 2), directed by Max Webster (Macbeth, Life of Pi).

An Old Vic production in association with Simon Friend Entertainment

Trailers & Interviews

The Cast

James McArdle

Henry

Bel Powley

Annie

Oliver Johnstone

Max

Susan Wokoma

Charlotte

Jack Ambrose

Brodie

Daniel Baskharoun

Understudy Billy/Brodie

Peter Eastland

Understudy Henry/Max

Oyin Orija

Understudy Annie/Charlotte

Rilwan Abiola Owokoniran

Billy

Mahaila Palmer

Understudy Debbie

Karise Yansen

Debbie

Creative Team

Tom Stoppard

Writer

Max Webster

Director

Peter McKintosh

Set & Costume

Richard Howell

Lighting

Alexandra Faye Braithwaite

Sound

Chi-San Howard

Movement

Jessica Ronane CDG

Casting

Charlie Hughes-D’Aeth

Voice

Laura Hart

Dialect

Ingrid Mackinnon

Intimacy

Lilac Yosiphon

Baylis Assistant Director

Poppy Hall

Costume Supervisor

Hum Studio Wigs

Hair, Wigs & Make-Up

Jamie Owens

Props Supervisor

Stage Management

Rebecca James

Company Stage Manager

Surenee Somchit

Deputy Stage Manager

Bella Kelaidi

Assistant Stage Manager