Since 1999

Trusted News & Reviews

25

years

best of british theatre

Official
tickets

Pick
your seats

Since 1999

25 years

Official tickets

Pick seats

Digital revival of Little Wars with all-star female cast announced

Published on

September 24, 2020

By

douglasmayo

All-star cast announced for digital revival of Steven Carl McCasland's Little Wars to stream from 3 - 8 November 2020.

Multi-award-winning stage and screen actress Juliet Stevenson (Truly, Madly, Deeply; The Doctor, Almeida; Blindness, Donmar Warehouse) leads an all-star female cast in the online revival of Steven Carl McCasland’s dinner party drama, Little Wars. Joining Stevenson will be Linda Bassett (Call The Midwife; East is East), Debbie Chazen (The Smoking Room; The Girls, West End), Natasha Karp (Rags, Park Theatre; The Kite Runner, West End), Catherine Russell (Holby City; What The Butler Saw, Curve Theatre), Sarah Solemani (Him & Her; Bad Education), and Sophie Thompson (Feel Good; Present Laughter, Old Vic).

Bringing together six exceptional women, Little Wars unites literary figureheads Gertrude Stein (Bassett), her girlfriend Alice Toklas (Russell), Dorothy Parker (Chazen), Lillian Hellman (Stevenson) and Agatha Christie (Thompson), with anti-fascist freedom fighter Muriel Gardiner (Solemani), in the most fantastical what-if dinner party imaginable. Tensions are high and secrecy lingers in the air, but with libations flowing and the threat of World War II looming the guests are close to boiling point.

Directed by Hannah Chissick (Flashdance, UK & International tour; Pack of Lies, Menier Chocolate Factory) the new production will be filmed and made available to download and stream online, in collaboration with Southwark’s The Union Theatre. The entire cast and creative team are raising money in aid of Women For Refugee Women, a cause that remains close to their values, and the underlying message of the play. Notwithstanding the challenges of 2020, the producers believe that it is vital, now more than ever, to support causes such as this. Book a viewing pass for Little Wars here.

Previously workshopped Off-Off-Broadway, this acclaimed play makes its digital premiere, celebrating historical women of the 20th century, through an intimate, hilarious, and witty fly-on-the-wall glimpse into a nostalgic fiction based on truths. Set in 1940s France, on the evening the country crumbled to Hitler’s tyrannical rule, the play acts as a brutal reminder of the mistreatment of the Jewish people. At a time when antisemitism is rife, gender politics are divisive, and LGBTQ+ hate crime has increased, it is a stark reminder that not much has changed.

Director Hannah Chissick said:- "It is such an honour to work on this wonderful play about exceptional women, with such an extraordinary cast all coming together in support of other brave and courageous women".

McCasland added:- "I am thrilled to see Little Wars find its way across the pond and with such an extraordinary team of actresses. I hope the play’s message resonates with all during this unprecedented time".

Alongside the streaming, GingerQuiff Media will be collaborating with Drink the iNK for a new pre-show conversation series, Open Creative Process, allowing audiences full-access into the creative process of making digital theatre – from start to finish.

BOOK A VIEWING PASS FOR LITTLE WARS

The BritishTheatre.com website was created to celebrate the rich and diverse theatrical culture of the United Kingdom. Our mission is to provide the latest UK theatre news, West End reviews, and insights into both regional theatre and London theatre tickets, ensuring enthusiasts can stay up to date with everything from the biggest West End musicals to cutting-edge fringe theatre. We are passionate about encouraging and nurturing the performing arts in all their forms.

The spirit of theatre is alive and thriving, and BritishTheatre.com is at the forefront of delivering timely, authoritative news and information to theatre lovers. Our dedicated team of theatre journalists and critics works tirelessly to cover every production and event, making it easy for you to access the latest reviews and book London theatre tickets for must-see shows.