Helen Mirren Coming to D.C.'s Shakespeare Theatre in Phèdre

Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren will bring her acclaimed production of Jean Racine’s Phèdre to the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s new Sidney Harman Hall in Washington, D.C. in September, according to The Washington Post. The play, which began life at London’s Royal National Theatre, will run September 17-26 in the nation’s capital, directed by Nicholas Hytner.

Mirren’s London co-stars Margaret Tyzack a Tony winner for Lettice and Lovage and Dominic Cooper The History Boys will appear with her in this classic play about an Athenian queen with a fatal attraction to her stepson. The Post report credits Julia Scheinwald, wife of British Ambassador Sir Nigel Scheinwald, with attracting the high-profile production to the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s new home.

Phèdre will precede the company’s official 2009-2010 season, which will include Euripedes’ The Bacchae a co-production with the Public Theater, running September 29-November 15 at the company’s smaller Lansburgh Theatre; As You Like It, running November 17-December 20 at Sidney Harman Hall; Richard II, running February 2-April 11, 2010, at Sidney Harman Hall; Henry V, running February 4-April 10 in rep with Richard II at Sidney Harman Hall; Pierre Corneille’s The Liar translated by David Ives, running April 6-May 23 at the Lansburgh Theatre; and George Bernard Shaw’s Mrs. Warren’s Profession, running June 8-July 11 at Sidney Harman Hall.