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Casting has been revealed for the first stage adaptation of cult movie classic Withnail and I at the Birmingham Rep.

Adapted for the stage by the film’s creator, Bruce Robinson, and directed by Birmingham Rep’s artistic director Sean Foley (Dr. Strangelove), Withnail and I will star The BAFTA and IFTA nominated Irish actor Robert Sheehan as Withnail, alongside Adonis Siddique as Marwood, and Malcolm Sinclair as Uncle Monty.

The cast also includes Adam Young as Danny; Israel J Fredericks as Presuming Ed; Morgan Philpott as Wanker/Jake the Poacher; Matt Devitt as Farmer/Colonel & Band; Adam Sopp as Geezer/Policeman, Band & Musical Director; and Sooz Kempner as Miss Blenehassitt/Policewoman & Band.

Set in London in the swinging sixties, the story centres on two unemployed actors who live in a squalid flat in Camden Town, and who go on holiday together to the Lake District. The movie starred Richard E Grant as the alcoholic Withnail and Paul McGann as the narrator, “I”, and has spawned a million comedy quotes since it premiered in 1987.

The film’s writer and director Bruce Robinson is adapting his movie and original novel for the theatre, based on Robinson’s experiences being an out-of-work actor.

Withnail and I - Rehearsals. The cast and director. Photo by Ellie Kurttz
Withnail and I – Rehearsals. The cast and director- EllieKurttz_Back/ Matt Devitt, Israel J Fredericks, Adam Sopp, Robert Sheehan, Malcolm Sinclair, Front/ Sooz Kempner, Morgan Philpott, Sean Foley, Adam Young, Adonis Siddique. Photo by Ellie Kurttz

Joining Sean Foley in the creative team is Alice Power (Designer), Ginny Schiller (Casting), Jessica Hung Han Yun (Lighting Design), Ben & Max Ringham (Sound & Composition), Akhila Krishnan (Video Design), Candida Caldicott (Music Supervision), Ginny Schiller (Casting Director), Alison de Burgh (Fight Director), Sara Joyce (Associate Director), Simon Marlow (Production Manager), Jennifer Taillefer (Production Environmental Manager), Kay Wilton (Costume Supervisor), Robin Morgan (Props Supervisor) and Andriea Nelson (Wigs Supervisor).

Recently playing at The Birmingham Rep was Minority Report, another big movie-to-stage adaptation, that is transferring to London’s Lyric Hammersmith this month, adapted by David Haig and directed by Max Webster.

Sean Foley’s other forthcoming projects include a movie-to-stage adaptation by Armando Iannucci of movie Dr. Strangelove, starring Steve Coogan and playing at the Noel Coward Theatre in London from October 2024; and a concert version of Mozart: Her Story – The New Musical In Concert at the Lyric Theatre in London on 22 July 2024.

Withnail and I is playing at the Birmingham Rep theatre from 3 to 25 May 2024.

More about Withnail and I tickets

More about the cast

Robert Sheehan

Robert Sheehan made his acting debut in Aisling Walsh’s acclaimed feature Song For A Raggy Boy. Since then, his screen credits include: Season of the Witch, Cherrybomb, Killing Bono, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, The Road Within, The Song of Sway Lake, Anita B, The Messenger, Moonwalkers, Jet Trash, Geostorm, Bad Samaritan, Three Summers, Mute, Mortal Engines, the BAFTA winning Red Riding trilogy for Channel 43, the multi-IFTA winning Love/Hate, the BAFTA winning Misfits for E4 (for which he was BAFTA nominated), The Borrowers, Fortitude, Genius: Picasso, The Last Bus, The Umbrella Academy and the upcoming film Red Sonja. His theatre work includes The Playboy of the Western World directed by John Crowley for the Old Vic, Richard III in The Wars of the Roses directed by Trevor Nunn for the Rose Theatre and Endgame directed by Danya Taymor for the Gate Theatre Dublin.

Adonis Siddique

Adonis Siddique’s theatre credits include: The Crown Jewels in the West End, Saleem in East Is East (a Birmingham Rep co-production with the National Theatre); Dorian Gray in The Picture Of Dorian Gray at the Pleasance Theatre in London, Crowther in The History Boys, Jav in Mismatched, a Sky Comedy/Birmingham Rep production, Quasim in Very Special Guest Star at Soho Theatre and Kyle in Dad at SouthwarkPlayhouse. Adonis was a creative collaborator and actor in Shunt’s Party Skills For The End Of The World at The Manchester International Festival. His film & television credits include: Newark Newark, Tin Star, Tyrant, Beyond Reasonable Doubt for CNN and the feature film Me Myself and D.

Malcolm Sinclair

Malcolm Sinclair is currently appearing at the National Theatre in Dear Octopus with Lindsay Duncan. His other many theatre credits include The Inquiry at Chichester Festival Theatre, My Fair Lady in the West End, The Light in the Piazza internationally and at the Royal Festival Hall, An Enemy of the People at Nottingham Playhouse, This House at Chichester Festival Theatre and at the Garrick Theatre, The Doctor’s Dilemma, The Habit of Art, The Power of Yes and House/Garden, History Boys and Racing Demon for the National Theatre, Ivanov at the Donmar Warehouse and Richard III, Uncle Vanya and The Comedy of Errors for the Royal Shakespeare Company. His many TV credits include Andor in A Star Wars Story for Disney +, Midsomer Murders, Virtuoso Silk, Henry V, The Hollow Crown, Foyle’s War, Hustle, Judge John Deed, A Touch of Frost and the US mini-series, Scarlett. His many films include: Drowning; The Man Who Knew Infinity, Survivor, A Belfast story, The Young Victoria, Casino Royale, V for Vendetta, Keep The Aspidistra Flying, Young Poisoner’s Handbook, God On The Rocks, Now That It’s Morning and Success Is The Best Revenge.

UPDATES: First published 18 March 2024 with initial casting of Robert Sheehan as Withnail, alongside Adonis Siddique as Marwood, and Malcolm Sinclair. Updated 3 April 2024 with full casting and creative team.

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Main photo: Withnail and I - Rehearsals. Adonis Siddique, Malcolm Sinclair & Robert Sheehan. Photo by Ellie Kurttz

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