Orlando Bloom to Star in London Revival of David Storey's In Celebration

Orlando Bloom will make his West End debut in a revival of David Storey's 1969 drama In Celebration, according to a production spokesperson. The play will be directed by Anna Mackmin and produced by Sonia Friedman. No dates, theater or further casting have been announced, although Variety speculates that the play may open in July at Trafalgar Studios.

Storey's drama follows three unhappy sons who travel back to their parents' Yorkshire home for their wedding anniversary. Once there, tension immediately begins to mount between the three brothers until one of them begins angrily lashing out at the rest of the family, tearing apart their illusion of happiness. The play premiered at London's Royal Court Theatre in 1969. The 1975 film adaptation starred Alan Bates and was directed by Lindsay Anderson. In America, Storey is best known for his 1970s dramas The Changing Room and Home, which was revived off-Broadway this season by The Actors Company Theatre. In Celebration was produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club in 1984 with a cast that included Malcolm McDowell.

Best known for his film roles in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Bloom is no stranger to the stage. He trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he appeared in The Seagull, Twelfth Night and The Trojan Women. His other film credits include Love and Other Disasters, Elizabethtown, Kingdom of Heaven, Troy, Haven, Black Hawk Down, Ned Kelly and Wilde.