Key Points
- Exclusive rehearsal photographs have been unveiled for the upcoming national tour of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities.
- The stage adaptation was created by theatrical figures Terence Rattigan and John Gielgud.
- Produced by The Marlowe Theatre, the production is scheduled to run at the Quarry Theatre in Leeds Playhouse from 22 to 26 September.
- The multi-talented cast features eleven actors taking on dual and ensemble roles to bring the French Revolution narrative to life.
Leeds West Yorkshire (The Leeds Times) August 31, 2026 –Newly released rehearsal photographs have offered an exclusive glimpse into the preparations for the forthcoming United Kingdom tour of Charles Dickens’ classic narrative, A Tale of Two Cities. Produced as a Marlowe Theatre Production, this stage version utilises the theatrical adaptation crafted by Terence Rattigan and John Gielgud.
The touring show is scheduled to make its appearance in the Quarry Theatre at Leeds Playhouse, running from 22 September through to 26 September. The released rehearsal imagery captures the ensemble company undertaking working sessions ahead of opening night, highlighting the physical staging and dynamic interactions required for the historical drama.
Who Is Featured In The Full Cast Line-Up For The Marlowe Theatre Production?
The full acting company for the touring production encompasses a broad mix of established stage performers playing multiple key figures across the London and Paris settings of Dickens’ tale:
- Martin Bassindale performs the roles of Stryver and Defarge.
- Scarlett Brookes appears as Miss Pross, the Judge, and the Road Mender.
- Samuel Collings takes on the dynamic central roles of Sydney Carton and the Marquis de St. Evrémonde.
- Daniel Hickey forms part of the central Ensemble.
- Jasmine Kerr contributes to the central Ensemble.
- Jordan Loughran plays Lucie Manette as well as the Seamstress.
- Roger Ringrose portrays Jarvis Lorry and Gabelle.
- Ed Sayer takes on the figures of Charles Darnay and the Brother of Marquis de St. Evrémonde.
- Robyn Sinclair performs as Madame Defarge, the Attorney General, and the Patrol.
- Simon Startin appears in the dual roles of Barsad and Gaspard.
- François Testory completes the cast portraying Dr. Manette and François.
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Background Of The Particular Development
The theatrical adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities by Terence Rattigan and John Gielgud represents an intersection of 20th-century British dramatic literature and classic 19th-century prose. Originally written in 1935, the script was co-crafted by Gielgud, one of the foremost classical actors of the twentieth century, alongside Rattigan, a prominent West End playwright known for works such as The Winslow Boy and The Browning Version.
The Marlowe Theatre’s revival and tour of this specific text brings a rarely performed version of Dickens’ 1859 novel to contemporary regional audiences.
By mounting the staging at regional culture hubs such as the Quarry Theatre at Leeds Playhouse—a prominent venue in Yorkshire known for its expansive thrust stage—the production leverages architectural staging to portray the contrasting environments of London and revolutionary Paris.
Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Regional Theatre Audiences And Local Venues
This touring production and its promotional push are likely to have several distinct impacts on regional theatregoing audiences and regional cultural venues across the UK:
- Increased Engagement with Classical Drama: The availability of a Rattigan and Gielgud adaptation provides local theatregoers in West Yorkshire and touring locations access to notable British dramatic history without needing to travel to London’s West End.
- Boost to Local Arts Economy: Short-run touring productions hosted at key venues like Leeds Playhouse generate local ticket sales, footfall for surrounding hospitality businesses, and heightened seasonal engagement for regional arts centres.
- Validation of Multi-Role Ensemble Staging: Audiences will experience a streamlined, ensemble-driven storytelling approach where eleven actors portray dozens of historical figures, encouraging wider appreciation for inventive, physical stage craft in regional venues.
