Full casting has been announced for director Michael Grandage’s world premiere production of The Line of Beauty at the Almeida Theatre in London.
This new stage adaptation of Alan Hollinghurst’s Booker Prize-winning novel is playing at the Almeida Theatre from 21 October to 29 November 2025.
Adapted for the stage by Olivier Award nominee Jack Holden (Cruise, Kenrex), The Line of Beauty brings to life Hollinghurst’s acclaimed exploration of desire, privilege, and political power at the height of Thatcher’s Britain. This marks a rare stage adaptation of the novel, which has long been praised for its richly detailed portrayal of class, sexuality, and cultural tension in 1980s London.
The cast will feature Jasper Talbot (Inter Alia) as Nick Guest; Francesca Amewudah-Rivers (Romeo & Juliet) as Rosemary Charles; Charles Edwards (Best of Enemies, The Crown) as Gerald Fedden; Ellie Bamber (The Lady from the Sea) as Catherine Fedden; Doreene Blackstock (A Raisin in the Sun) as Mrs Charles; Arty Froushan (Leopoldstadt) as Wani Ouradi; Claudia Harrison (Hamlet Hail to the Thief) as Rachel Fedden; Matt Mella (Checkpoint Chana) as Pete/Ricky; Hannah Morrish (The Brightening Air) as Penny Kent/Sophie Tipper; Alistair Nwachukwu (Choir Boy) as Leo Charles; Robert Portal (The Boy Friend) as Badger; and Leo Suter (Romeo & Juliet) as Toby Fedden.
Francesca Amewudah-Rivers recently won First Prize at this year’s Ian Charleson Awards.
Jasper Talbot is currently starring in Inter Alia at the National Theatre in London.
Michael Grandage, former Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse, most recently directed My Master Builder in the West End, a new adaptation of Ibsen’s play starring Ewan McGregor, Elizabeth Debicki, and Kate Fleetwood.
Adapter of The Line of Beauty, writer and actor Jack Holden, is returning to the London stage this year, starring in Kenrex at The Other Palace from 3 December.
More about The Line of Beauty at the Almeida Theatre
Set in Notting Hill during the summer of 1983, the story follows Nick Guest, a young, gay postgraduate who is drawn into the lives of his university friend’s wealthy Conservative family. As he becomes enmeshed in their world of glittering parties and guarded secrets, Nick’s pursuit of beauty leads him into a fragile dance between personal freedom and social expectation.
The creative team for The Line of Beauty includes set and costume design by Christopher Oram, lighting by Howard Hudson, sound and composition by Adam Cork, and movement and intimacy direction by Ben Wright. Casting is by Sophie Holland CDG.
The Line of Beauty is part of Rupert Goold’s final season as Artistic Director of the Almeida, a ten-production programme featuring new writing, classic revivals, and bold adaptations, including Romola Garai in A Doll’s House, Josh O’Connor in Golden Boy, a revival of American Psycho, and Romans: a Novel – which is now in rehearsals ahead of its 9 September start date.
The Line of Beauty runs from 21 October to 29 November 2025 at the Almeida Theatre, London.
More about The Line of Beauty tickets
Related News
Sadie Sink, Ralph Fiennes and Brendan Gleeson lead star-studded Stage Debut Awards 2026 Shortlist
Full cast announced for new play Blood of my Blood at the Royal Court Theatre
Josh O’Connor leads a starry cast for Golden Boy at the Almeida — full cast announced
‘A story about Africa, rooted in culture and generational trauma, was so important to bring to the West End’: Idriss Kargbo on the true story of William Kamkwamba
Latest News
Broadway legend Patti LuPone returns to the London Coliseum for Valentine’s Day 2027
Helen of Troy never got to tell her side. Watch the trailer for the play that does
After a sell-out world tour, The Choir of Man returns to the West End this Christmas
