Initial casting has been announced for Tim Crouch’s genre-defying theatrical experiment An Oak Tree, where each performance will see a different guest actor join Crouch on stage without ever having read or rehearsed the play.

Francesca Moody Productions (FMP) has announced initial guest casting for An Oak Tree, one of the most influential and widely celebrated plays of the 21st century. Starring Tim Crouch, the cast will include a different second actor at each performance.

Confirmed guest actors confirmed so far include Hammed Animashaun (SNL UK), Bessie Carter (Bridgerton), Sacha Dhawan (Doctor Who), Gemma Whelan (Game of Thrones) and more.

View live availability for An Oak Tree here

No rehearsal, no problem

Since it first premiered in 2005, An Oak Tree has become one of the most influential and widely celebrated plays of the 21st century. The groundbreaking premise means a different guest artist joins the cast for one performance only, stepping onstage without having read or rehearsed the play beforehand.

Over the past two decades, many actors have taken on the challenge, including Frances McDormand, Geoffrey Rush, Peter Dinklage, David Tennant, Jessie Buckley, Sophie Okonedo, Sharon D Clarke, Toby Jones, Meera Syal, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Michelle Terry, among many others.

Confirmed guest performers for the upcoming run at The Other Palace will include:

  • Rosalie Craig (Riot Women) on 9 October
  • Clare Perkins (Bacchae) on 13 October
  • Tom Mothersdale (A Doll’s House) on 14 October
  • Gemma Whelan (Game of Thrones) on 15 October
  • Bessie Carter (Bridgerton) on 16 October
  • Sacha Dhawan (Doctor Who) on 23 October
  • Hammed Animashaun (SNL UK) on 29 October
  • George Fouracres (SNL UK) on 10 November

An Oak Tree is directed by Tim Crouch, Karl James and Andy Smith, with music by Pete Gill and piano by Simon Crane.

Plan your visit to The Oak Tree

  • Theatre: The Other Palace
  • Booking dates: 7 October – 15 November 2026
  • Performance schedule: Tuesday to Saturday evenings; Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees
  • Age range: 12+

An Oak Tree

The Other Palace, London

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An Oak Tree

Main photo: Gemma Whelan, Sacha Dhawan and Bessie Carter. An Oak Tree at The Other Palace

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