David Mamet's The Woods gets first UK revival in 25 years

David Mamet's 1977 'battle of the sexes' play The Woods is to get its first UK revival in 25 years at Southwark Playhouse from 24 February  2022.

Francesca Carpanini and Sam Frenchum to star in David Mamet's The Woods. Photo: Michael Wharley Russell Bolam is to direct David Mamet's The Woods at Southwark Playhouse this February/March. This will be the first UK revival of the play in 25 years.

Nick and Ruth are spending the weekend at a remote cabin in the woods. They push their relationship to breaking point in a night of stories and fights, only to rediscover their need for one another in the morning, but the final reconciliation remains uncomfortably tempered by the violent core we now know to be hiding beneath.

The Woods will star Francesca Carpanini as Ruth and Sam Frenchum as Nick.

Francesca Carpanini is an American actress. ‘The Woods’ will mark her UK debut. Her Broadway roles include Ann Deever in Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of ‘All My Sons’ alongside Annette Bening and Tracy Letts, and Alexandra Giddens in ‘The Little Foxes’ alongside Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon. Other theatre includes: Miranda in ‘The Tempest’ (Shakespeare in the Park); Chris in ‘Dead Poet’s Society’ (Classic Stage Company). Francesca also appeared in ‘The Good Wife’ for CBS.

Sam Frenchum has just finished shooting the second series of ‘Bridgerton’ for Netflix. He also starred as series regular Gary Bell in the second season of ‘Grantchester.’ Theatre includes: ‘Valued Friends’ (Rose Theatre, Kingston); Mersault in Ben Okri’s adaptation of Camus’ ‘The Outsider’ (The Print Room); ‘Love From A Stranger’ (Royal & Derngate Theatre); and Hal in ‘Loot’ (Park Theatre/The Watermill).

The Woods will be directed by Russell Bolam, set and costumes by Anthony Lamble, lighting design by Bethany Gupwell, sound consulting by Ali Tate, Fight and Intimacy consultant Haruka Kuroda, Accent coaching by Nina Zendejas, and casting by Daniele Tarento (who is also Producing!).

BOOK TICKETS FOR THE WOODS AT SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE