John Hurt Joins Kenneth Branagh in London's The Entertainer

John Hurt will join Kenneth Branagh in the West End production of John Osborne's The Entertainer this summer. Directed by Rob Ashford, the production begins performances at the Garrick Theatre on August 20 with opening night August 30.

Hurt, who will play Billy Rice, has been on stage in Travesties, Little Malcolm and His Struggle Against the Eunuchs, Inadmissible Evidence,The Seagull with Natasha Richardson, A Month in the Country opposite Helen Mirren and Heroes. His film work includes Alien, Midnight Express, The Elephant Man, 1984, The Hit, The Field, Love and Death on Long Island, V for Vendetta, TinkerTailor Soldier Spy, Snowpiercer, Hercules and Mr. Ollivander in the Harry Potter series.

The cast will also feature Jonah Hauer-King as Frank Rice, Sophie McShera as Jean Rice and Greta Sachhi as Phoebe Rice. 

Set against the backdrop of post-war Britain, The Entertainer conjures the seedy glamour of the old music halls for an examination of public masks and private torment.

The Entertainer completes Branagh's takeover of the Garrick, which saw The Winter's Tale and Harlequinade earlier this season and will welcome The Painkiller and Romeo and Juliet this spring.