Matilda’s Bertie Carvel to Star in National Theatre's Damned by Despair

Olivier Award-winning actor Bertie Carvel (Matilda) will star in the National Theatre’s production of Damned by Despair, according to The Daily Mail. An adaptation by Frank McGuinness of Tirso de Molina’s 1635 play, Damned by Despair is directed by Bijan Sheibani and will also stars Sebastian Armesto as Paulo. The production begins performances in the Olivier Theatre on October 2, with an official opening set for October 10.

Obsessed with his own salvation, the hermit Paulo (Armesto) dedicates himself to ten years of prayerful penance. When his faith wavers, the ever-watchful Devil seizes the moment to convince him that he shares the fate of one Enrico (Carvel), a notorious Neapolitan gangster destined for damnation. Swearing vengeance, Paulo lashes out against God and assembles a band of rival outlaws.

Carvel won the 2012 Olivier Award for his starring role as the evil Miss Trunchbull in the musical Matilda. His other credits include Parade, Coram Boy, The Man of Mode and The Life of Galileo. Armesto is best known for his television work on The Tudors, The Place, and the BBC miniseries Little Dorrit.

Damned by Despair will feature set design by Giles Cadle, costume design by Moritz Junge, lighting design by Jon Clark, video design by Finn Ross, music and sound design by Dan Jones, movement by Aline David and fight choreography by Kate Waters.