Marlowe Theatre announces cast and UK tour dates for A Tale of Two Cities
by Best of Theatre Staff on Monday 3 August 2026, 2:32 pm in Cast Changes and Announcements
The Marlowe Theatre has announced the full cast and 2026-27 UK tour dates for A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens' epic novel adapted for the stage by Terence Rattigan and John Gielgud and directed by Michael Fentiman.
The Marlowe Theatre has today announced the cast and UK tour dates for its production of Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, adapted for the stage by Terence Rattigan and John Gielgud.
The premiere will be at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury from 14 to 19 September, with press night on Thursday 17 September. The show then travels to Leeds Playhouse from 22 to 26 September, ahead of further dates in 2027 at Theatre Royal Bath (15-23 January), Cheltenham Theatre (2-6 February), Chichester Festival Theatre (9-13 February), King's Theatre Edinburgh (16-20 February) and Theatr Clwyd (23-27 February), with more dates to be announced.
The cast includes Martin Bassindale (Stryver and Defarge), Scarlett Brookes (Miss Pross, Judge and Road Mender), Samuel Collings (Sydney Carton and the Marquis de St. Evremonde), Daniel Hickey (Ensemble), Jasmine Kerr (Ensemble), Jordan Loughran (Lucie Manette and Seamstress), Roger Ringrose (Lorry and Gabelle), Ed Sayer (Charles Darnay and Brother of the Marquis de St. Evremonde), Robyn Sinclair (Madame Defarge, Attorney General and Patrol), Simon Startin (Barsad and Gaspard) and Francois Testory (Dr. Manette and Francois).
The production is directed by Michael Fentiman, whose credits include Amelie, Titus Andronicus, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Loot.
Deborah Shaw, Chief Executive at the Marlowe Theatre, said: "This second national tour by Marlowe Theatre Productions will have our trademark quality and ambition, bringing Dickens' much-loved novel to thrilling life in Rattigan's emotionally charged adaptation, seen here in a major production for the very first time. With a top-class creative team led by director Michael Fentiman and a strong ensemble of actors, we're delighted to be creating this work in Kent, to be enjoyed by audiences across England, Scotland and Wales."
Michael Fentiman added: "I'm thrilled that we're now able to share this extraordinary company and the first tour dates for A Tale of Two Cities. We've assembled a remarkable cast and I can't wait for audiences to see them bring the extraordinary world of A Tale of Two Cities to life. I'm thrilled that we will visit so many beautiful and important theatres across the UK, giving audiences the opportunity to rediscover one of our greatest novels in what I believe will be a bold new production. We will endeavour to honour the richness of the original while creating a staging that vibrates with all of the excitement and invention of the modern theatre. I can't wait to start."
In 1770s Paris, revolution is stirring. Sydney Carton is a brilliant yet cynical barrister from England, while Charles Darnay is the rebel child of French aristocrats. When they both fall for charming emigre Lucie Manette, a chain of events is set in motion which will endanger everyone. As the Reign of Terror rages on the streets of Paris, for some love is a lifeline; for others, a sentence to the guillotine. Adapted from one of the best-selling novels of all time by Terence Rattigan (The Winslow Boy, The Deep Blue Sea) and John Gielgud, this epic story of love, sacrifice and redemption asks: is there any price too great to pay for love?
The creative team also includes set design by Max Jones, costume design by Kinnetia Isidore, lighting design by Ben Jacobs, sound design by Richard Hammarton, music by Barnaby Race, video design by Nina Dunn for PixelLux, wigs, hair and make-up design by Susanna Peretz, casting by Helena Palmer CDG and fights by Jonathan Holby. Audrey Brisson serves as Creative Associate, with Pip Minnithorpe as Associate Director and award-winning playwright Leo Butler as dramaturg.
A Tale of Two Cities is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.