Directed by Alice Hamilton, Stella Feehily's play will premiere at the theatre this Autumn with the cast also announced today.
The cast of The Lightest Element at the Hampstead Theatre.
The full cast has been announced for The Lightest Element which opens at the Hampstead Theatre in London on 5 September 2024.
Feehily's play will illuminate the life of one of the 20th century's most distinguished astronomers, Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, whose groundbreaking work a century ago revolutionised our understanding of stars. The play which will be set in Boston in 1956 will take audiences through the astronomer's career and explore how challenging social norms can be almost as difficult as overturning scientific orthodoxy.
Leading The Lightest Element as Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin will be Maureen Beattie (Yerma, Young Vic). Joining her in the cast are Steffan Cennydd (Hir, Park Theatre); Simon Chandler (Ravens: Spassky vs Fischer, Hampstead Theatre); Rina Mahoney (Mary and George, Sky); Simon Markey (The Visit, National Theatre); Julian Wadham (Another Country, West End) plus Hari Kang and Annie Kingsnorth.
The Lightest Element will run at the Hampstead Theatre from 5 September - 12 October 2024.
