Theater News

James McAvoy and Claire Foy Will Lead Macbeth in London

Jamie Lloyd will direct Shakespeare’s bloody tragedy.

Andy Propst
London
James McAvoy, seen as Charles Xavier in <i>X-Men</i>, will play the title role in <i>Macbeth</i> on the London stage.
James McAvoy, seen as Charles Xavier in X-Men, will play the title role in Macbeth on the London stage.

It’s once again time to witness a couple’s murderous ascent to the throne of Scotland, followed by their ultimate demise, in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, set to run at Trafalgar Studios from February 9 – April 27.

Jamie Lloyd (Broadway’s Cyrano de Bergerac) will direct the production which will star Olivier Award nominee James McAvoy (Privates on Parade, the X-Men films) in the title role, and Claire Foy (Love, Love, Love) as Lady Macbeth, the woman who helps propel her husband’s bloody ambition.

McAvoy earned his Olivier nomination for his performance in Three Days of Rain. Among his other stage credits are Breathing Corpses and Out in the Open. In addition, he received a BAFTA nomination for his performance in the movie The Last King of Scotland, and was both BAFTA and Golden Globe-nominated for Atonement. In addition to the X-Men series, he has appeared in films such as First Class, The Conspirator, and The Last Station, as well as the forthcoming Trance and The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby.

Foy has appeared on the London stage in such productions as Ding Dong the Wicked, Baby Girl, DNA, and The Miracle. Her television and film credits include White Heat, Upstairs Downstairs, Little Dorrit, and Season of the Witch.

Lloyd made his Broadway debut as director of Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of Cyrano de Bergerac earlier this season. Among his many U.K. credits are The Duchess of Malfi, She Stoops to Conquer, The Faith Machine and The Pride. He was Associate Director of the Donmar Warehouse from 2008 to 2011.

Trafalgar’s production of Macbeth will also feature Jamie Ballard, Graeme Dalling, Lisa Gardner, Kevin Guthrie, Richard Hansell, Forbes Masson, Allison McKenzie, Olivia Morgan, Catherine Murray, Callum O’Neill, Mark Quartley, and Hugh Ross. Soutra Gilmour will design the production.