by Emlyn Williams.
Directed by David Cottis.
Designed by Fiona Parker.
Lighting and Sound by Ben Turnbull.
Produced by Tim Newns.
Presented by Instant Classics in association with Neil McPherson for the Finborough Theatre
Cast: David Broughton-Davies. Alyn Gwyndaf. Rachel Isaac. Anna Lindup. Joshua McCord. Michael Norledge. Dafydd Wyn Roberts. Bennet Thorpe.

The first London production in sixty years of the classic autobiographical Welsh comedy by the author of Night Must Fall and The Corn is Green

Sundays and Mondays, 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 September 2009

In a pub in the small Welsh village of Ton-y-maes, the locals are preparing for the Eisteddfod, while the publican's young bookworm of a son is reading of mystery and murder. Until an enigmatic Englishman arrives who is not who he appears to be…

Drawing on Emlyn Williams’ own childhood in Flintshire, where his parents ran the White Lion Inn, this classic autobiographical Welsh comedy by the author of Night Must Fall and The Corn is Green was first produced in 1944 with Richard Burton making his stage debut. This production is the first London production in sixty years.

Director David Cottis returns to the Finborough Theatre following his successful production of Sam, the Highest Jumper of Them All (Four Stars, Whatsonstage) and after a long career on the fringe including six years as the Literary Manager of the Etcetera Theatre where he ran the One-Person Play Festival, winner of a Guinness Ingenuity Award and a Time Out Critics’ Choice. His recent work includes Sam the Highest Jumper of Them All (Finborough Theatre), Doctor Faustus (Riverhouse Arts Centre), The Nativity (Northampton), the UK premiere of Charles Marowitz's Caesar (Broadway Theatre, Catford)The Menaechmi (Shakespeare’s Globe), Timon of Athens (Camden People’s Theatre), Richard III (Broadway Theatre, Catford), and The Servant of Two Masters (Venezia! Festival, Northampton).

Emlyn Williams (1905-1987) was one of the most successful actors and playwrights of the 1930s and 1940s, sometimes referred to as 'the Welsh Noël Coward'. His greatest successes included the psychological thriller Night Must Fall (1935) and the autobiographical The Corn is Green (1938), filmed with Bette Davis. His film appearances as an actor included Hitchcock's Jamaica Inn, Hatter's Castle and Alexander Korda's unfinished I, Claudius, as Caligula to Charles Laughton's Claudius. For many years, he lived at Dovehouse Street in Chelsea, a short walk from the Finborough Theatre.

The cast includes David Broughton-Davies, Alyn Gwyndaf, Rachel Isaac, Rhodri Lewis, Anna Lindup, Joshua McCord, Michael Norledge and Bennet Thorpe.
David Broughton-Davies’s many stage credits include The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Royal Shakespeare Company), Romeo and Juliet (Young Vic), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (English Shakespeare Company). Television and Film credits include The House of Angelo, Shameless, Casualty, Doctors and Londoners.
Alyn Gwyndaf’s many stage credits include The Museum (Leicester Square Theatre), Handbag (BAC), Ubu Roi (Cochrane Theatre) and Slow Train to Izmir (Southwark Playhouse). Film and TV credits include Under Milk Wood.
Rachel Isaac is best known for her role as Trudy in The Office. Rachel’s stage credits include The Two Princes (Clwyd Theatr Cymru), Carrie’s War (Novel Theatre) and Medea (Broadway and US Tour for the Really Useful Theatre Company). Film and Television credits include The Low Down, Cardiff, Casualty, Cake, Monkey Trousers, Murphy’s Law and Holby City.
Anna Lindup’s many stage credits include Yerma (Arcola Theatre), Dead Funny (Vaudeville Theatre), Children of the Dust (Soho Theatre), Gaslight (Swan Theatre, Worcester), The Beaux Strategem, The Man Who Fell In Love With His Wife (Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith), Plunder (National Theatre), Red Devils, Therese Raquin (both Liverpool Playhouse), Jumpers, Richard II (Clwyd Theatr Cymru). Film and Television credits include Lady Killers 2, In My Head, Flying Lady, Casualty and Woman in White. Anna’s extensive work with BBC Radio 4 include The Hamam Bride, Maximum Credible Accident, Clearing The Ground and Fish Hooks.
Joshua McCord appeared in this year’s Old Vic New Voices 24 Hour Plays at The Old Vic. Other stage credits include Chatroom (National Theatre) and Miss Brown to You (Hijinx Theatre).
Michael Norledge’s stage credits include Dave (The Sitcom Trials) and The Rendezvous (Drayton Studio Theatre).
Dafydd Wyn Roberts’ stage credits include The Tempest, King Lear (National Tours for Wales Actors Company), Last Chance Hotel (Sherman Theatre, Cardiff). Film and TV credits include Good Arrows, The Englishman Who Went Up A Hill But Came Down A Mountain, Solomon and Gaenor, Boy Soldier, A Mind to Kill, Tracey Beaker and Pobl y Cwm.
Bennet Thorpe’s many stage credits include The Merchant of Venice (Bristol Theatre Royal), Twelfth Night (The Tobacco Factory), King Lear (Bristol Old Vic), Bored of the Rings, Bent the Gladiator (London Toast Theatre, Denmark). Bennet is most well known for his regular appearance in the title role of in ITV’s Captain Mack. Other Television credits include The IT Crowd, Foyle’s War, Life Begins, Wire in the Blood and The Inspector Lynley Mysteries.

The Press on The Druid's Rest
“A thoroughly enjoyable evening.” West End Whingers

“If charm and old Wales are what you long for, and Under Milk Wood is a bit static for your taste, then The Druid’s Rest might be just your thing.” Michael Spring, Theatreworld

“An amusing little play and charmingly delivered.” West End Whingers