Martin Shaw & More Set for Hobson's Choice in the West End

Tony nominee and West End veteran Martin Shaw will return to the London stage in Hobson’s Choice. The revival, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Harold Brighouse play’s premiere, will run from June 8 through September 10 at the Vaudeville Theatre. Opening night is set for June 14. The production, directed by Jonathan Church, played the Theatre Royal in Bath earlier this year with Shaw in the title role of Henry Horatio Hobson.The cast will also include Naomi Frederick, Bryan Dick, Gabrielle Dempsey and Joanna McCallum.

Shaw earned a Tony nomination for his performance in An Ideal Husband. His additional stage credits include A Man for All Seasons, Twelve Angry Men and Saturday, Sunday, Monday. On screen, he has appeared in Inspector George Gently, Judge John Deed and The Professionals.

Frederick, who will play Maggie Hobson, has appeared on stage previously in The Heresy of Love, Made in Dagenham and The Winslow Boy. Dick takes on the role of Will Mossop; his previous theater credits include Seminar, School Play, Sliding with Suzanne and The Alchemist. Dempsey, who will play Vickey Hobson, returns to the stage after appearing in The Rehearsal and Spring Awakening. McCallum’s credits include A Month in the Country and The Importance of Begin Earnest; she is set play Mrs. Hepworth.

The play follows shoekeeper Henry Horatio Hobson, a familial tyrant who loses control when his oldest daughters marries his bootmaker. As his uneasiness grows, he risks losing his livelihood, family and his pride.

Additional casting will be announced later. The production will feature sets and costumes by Simon Higlett, lighting design by Tim Mitchell, sound design by Mike Walker and original music by Matthew Scott.