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  • Running time 2 hours 40 minutes (including interval)
  • Age guidelines 14+

Academy Award nominated film Cold War is brought to life on stage by an award-winning creative team helmed by Almeida Artistic Director Rupert Goold (Tammy Faye), Grammy Award-winner Elvis Costello and Conor McPherson (Girl from the North Country, The Weir).

Based on Paweł Pawlikowski’s Academy Award-nominated film, Cold War is an epic love story spanning the decades and breadth of Europe at its most divided.

Featuring traditional Polish songs, stirring choral arrangements, and music from Elvis Costello, Conor McPherson’s (The Brightening Air, Girl from the North Country, The Weir) adaptation of Cold War is a compelling story of passion, redemption, and the journey to be free.

Directed by Almeida Artistic Director Rupert Goold (Tammy Faye), this poignant new musical features Anya Chalotra (The Witcher), Elliot Levey (Cabaret) and Luke Thallon (Patriots).

Cold War premiered at the Almeida Theatre in 2023, running from 30 November 2023 to 27 January 2024 with an opening night on 12 December 2023.

This production is highly tipped to transfer to the West End, although there’s currently no confirmed news on the transfer, or any dates or venue information

Poland, 1949.

Zula is bold and brilliant, a singer who ignites the stage. Wiktor is withdrawn and damaged, a composer longing to write. Irresistibly drawn to each other, they dream of escape. But in communist-controlled Poland that can be a dangerous thing.

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Who is in the cast of Cold War?

Almeida Theatre Cast – 2023-2024 production 

The cast features Anya Chalotra, Elliot Levey and Luke Thallon, alongside Ali Goldsmith, Ryan Goscinski, Elliot Harper, Ediz Mahmut, Anastasia Martin, Alžbeta Matyšáková, Jordan Metcalfe, Katarina Novkovic, Sophie Maria Wojna and Alex Young.  

Who are the creative team of Cold War?

Book by Conor McPherson
Music by Elvis Costello
Based on the film by Paweł Pawlikowski

Director: Rupert Goold; Music Supervisor, Orchestrator and Arranger: Simon Hale; Choreographer: Ellen Kane; Set Designer: Jon Bausor; Costume Designer: Evie Gurney; Lighting Designer: Paule Constable; Sound Designer: Sinéad Diskin; Musical Director: Jo Cichonska; Casting Director: Amy Ball CDG  

 Cold War is presented in association with Tanya Seghatchian and John Woodward 

 

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Critics' reviews of Cold War

★★★★★ "This is simply exquisite" - iNews

★★★★ "A triumph" - The Telegraph

★★★★ "Brilliantly told" - Evening Standard

★★★★ "Beautiful, haunting" - Financial Times

★★★★ "Anya Chalotra and Luke Thallon are magnificent" - TimeOut

★★★★ "A lush, tender play" - The Times

Also see: Cold War Reviews Round-up

Frequently Asked Questions

The running time of Cold War is 2 hours 40 minutes (including interval)
The age recommendations for Cold War are: 14+
Yes, Cold War has matinee performances on the following days:
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