The first rehearsal photographs of Louisa Lytton and James Alexandrou in Casserole are out, ahead of the play opening at Playhouse East in Haggerston on 24 November.
The pictures, by Simon Lex, show the two working on Casserole in the rehearsal room. Lytton plays Kate and Alexandrou plays Dom. It is the first time they have acted together on stage, around two decades after both grew up on screen in EastEnders, where she played Ruby Allen and he played Martin Fowler.
Running in real time across a single act, the play is a dark Christmas comedy for two actors. Kate has become convinced that her late mother is sending her signs. Dom does not believe in any of it, and she then finds him eating the last casserole her mother made. Alexandrou wrote it with Kate Kelly Flood and Dominic Morgan, and also directs. Avital Lvova produces for Playhouse East.
Design is by Adrian Makarewicz (set), Katie McGoldrick (costume), Kit Mackenzie (lighting) and Rumble Post (sound). The pairing and the play's earlier life at the Arcola Theatre were covered when the production was first announced in October.
There are 20 performances, from Tuesday 24 November to Saturday 19 December 2026, Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm with no matinees. The show runs 65 minutes with no interval and carries a 15+ age guidance. Playhouse East, at 258 Kingsland Road, E8 4DG, is set out with 84 seats for the run. Tickets are £30, plus a £1.50 booking fee.
Alexandrou is artistic director of Playhouse East, the self-funded independent theatre he opened with Lvova in 2024 with a focus on supporting working-class artists.
Lytton and Alexandrou in rehearsal for Casserole
For more information, visit the official website.
