Showbiz

Thandie Newton to make West End debut

Published Monday, Jul 25 2011, 20:53 BST | By Tom Eames | Add comment

Thandie Newton will make her stage debut in London's revival of the Olivier Award-winning play Death and the Maiden.

The thriller- written by Chilean writer Ariel Dorfman - will open at the West End's Comedy Theatre on October 24, with previews starting on October 13. Tickets went on sale for the play earlier today.

Death and the Maiden originally opened at the Royal Court in 1991. The revival will be directed by the venue's deputy artistic director Jeremy Herrin.

Newton will play political prisoner Paulina Sala in an unnamed Latin American country aiming to get revenge against her former captor. Casting for the two main male roles has yet to be announced.

The original production starred Juliet Stevenson, Michael Byrne and Bill Paterson, and won the 1992 Olivier Award for 'Best New Play'. It was later adapted into a film by Roman Polanski, starring Sigourney Weaver and Ben Kingsley.

Thandie Newton will next be seen in British thriller Retreat alongside Cillian Murphy.

Watch the trailer for the 1994 film adaptation of Death and the Maiden below: