The Donmar Warehouse has announced the full cast for its summer staging of Intimate Apparel by double Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage.
Samira Wiley, previously announced in the lead role of Esther, will be joined by Nicola Hughes, Claudia Jolly, Kadiff Kirwan, Faith Omole, and Alex Waldmann in this highly anticipated revival directed by Lynette Linton.
The production reunites Nottage and Linton following their acclaimed collaborations on Sweat and Clyde’s at the same venue. Intimate Apparel will begin previews on 20 June 2025, officially opening on 26 June, and is set to run until 9 August.
Set in 1905 New York, Intimate Apparel follows Esther, a skilled seamstress who creates luxury lingerie for women across class lines. Despite her independence and professional success, she yearns for connection and dreams of opening her own beauty salon. When a mysterious correspondence from a faraway suitor arrives, it offers her the possibility of love — but also risk.
Nicola Hughes will play Mrs Dickson, with recent credits including Opening Night and Into the Woods. Claudia Jolly appears as Mrs Van Buren, following roles in The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs and Girl from the North Country. Kadiff Kirwan returns to the Donmar as George, having previously appeared in Sweet Charity and City of Angels. Olivier-nominated Faith Omole (Standing at the Sky’s Edge) plays Mayme, and Alex Waldmann — also returning to the Donmar — stars as Mr Marks.
Samira Wiley, best known for The Handmaid’s Tale and Orange Is the New Black, brings Esther to life onstage following a standout turn in Blues for an Alabama Sky at the National Theatre. The Juilliard-trained performer adds this role to an already distinguished theatre and screen résumé.
Director Lynette Linton, a former Donmar Resident Assistant Director and outgoing Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre, brings her BAFTA-nominated vision back to the venue where she previously helmed Sweat and Clyde’s. Her programming at the Bush has earned consecutive Olivier Awards and seen multiple West End transfers.
The creative team includes Alex Berry (set and costume design), Cynthia de la Rosa (wigs, hair and make-up), Jai Morjaria (lighting design), George Dennis (sound design), XANA (composer), Gino Ricardo Green (video design), and Shelley Maxwell (movement and intimacy). Casting is by Lotte Hines CDG and Anna Cooper CDG, with Hazel Holder as voice and dialect coach.
Intimate Apparel runs at Donmar Warehouse from 20 June to 9 August 2025
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