Alex Lawther & Sophie Rundle to Star in Summerfolk at NT

Alex Lawther, Doon Mackichan, Paul Ready, and Sophie Rundle Join SUMMERFOLK at The National Theatre

The National Theatre has officially unveiled a stellar ensemble for its upcoming production of Summerfolk, a biting revival of Maxim Gorky’s classic play. The production, which will take over the prestigious Olivier theatre from March 6 to April 29, 2026, features a cast that blends established stage veterans with some of the most exciting screen talent in the UK today.

Leading the company are Alex Lawther (Alien: Earth, The End of the F*ing World), Doon Mackichan (Smack the Pony, Good Omens), Paul Ready (Motherland, The Terror), and Sophie Rundle (Peaky Blinders, The Diplomat).

A Razor-Sharp Portrait of Privilege

Set during a sweltering Russian summer in 1905, Summerfolk follows a group of the country’s elite as they retreat to the countryside to escape the heat of the city. While the group spends their days swimming, drinking champagne, and engaging in scandalous affairs, the character of Varvara (played by Rundle) becomes increasingly unsettled by the hollow nature of their existence.

The play serves as a satirical and often brutal look at class, denial, and the ignorance of a privileged few while a political storm brews on the horizon. This new version has been adapted by the powerhouse sibling duo Nina Raine (Consent) and Moses Raine (Donkey Heart).

A Powerhouse Creative Team

Directing the production is the National Theatre’s Deputy Artistic Director, Robert Hastie, fresh off the success of the multi-award-winning Standing at the Sky’s Edge. Hastie’s vision for the 2026 revival is expected to lean into the play’s "razor-sharp" social commentary, highlighting its eerie relevance to contemporary discussions on wealth and social responsibility.

Joining the lead quartet is an expansive cast including:

• Rebecca Banatvala as Sasha

• Thomas Barrett as Maxim Zimin

• Arthur Hughes as Pyotr Ivanich Suslov

• Gwyneth Keyworth as the ensemble lead

• Peter Forbes as Semyon Semyonich Dvoyetochiye

The creative environment is further bolstered by set and costume designer Peter McKintosh, whose work is expected to transform the Olivier stage into a lush, yet decaying, rural idyll.

A Long-Awaited Return

This production marks the first time Summerfolk has graced the National Theatre stage since 1999, when it was famously directed by Trevor Nunn. That production won numerous accolades, and the 2026 revival aims to match that prestige by focusing on the "humanity and humor" often lost in traditional period dramas.

With tickets now on sale, the production is expected to be one of the highlights of the London spring season. For fans of Lawther and Rundle, it offers a rare opportunity to see two of the UK's most sought-after actors returning to their theatrical roots in a play that promises as much intellect as it does drama.

Source - https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Alex-Lawther-Doon-Mackichan-Paul-Ready-and-Sophie-Rundle-Join-SUMMERFOLK-at-The-National-Theatre-20260116

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