See Kristin Scott Thomas in First-Look Images from The Cherry Orchard
First-look rehearsal images reveal Kristin Scott Thomas, Stephen Mangan and the cast of Ian Rickson’s new West End production of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, ahead of its opening at the Harold Pinter Theatre.
The first rehearsal images from Kristin Scott Thomas’ The Cherry Orchard have been released, offering a glimpse of the company as they prepare Ian Rickson’s new production of Anton Chekhov’s final play.
Photographed by Johan Persson, the images show Scott Thomas alongside Stephen Mangan and members of the cast ahead of the production’s West End opening in October.
Scott Thomas plays Lyubov Ranevskaya, with Mangan as Lopakhin, in a new adaptation by Conor McPherson. The cast also includes Ruby Bentall, Megan Cusack, Karl Johnson, Anastasia Martin, Noof Ousellam, Jeff Rawle, Jack Riddiford, Vinette Robinson, Shubham Saraf and Peter Wight.
BOOK: Kristin Scott Thomas Returns to Chekhov in The Cherry Orchard
When Lyubov Ranevskaya returns to her childhood estate after years abroad, she finds her family home and beloved cherry orchard under threat. As old loyalties falter and new ambitions rise, a world of privilege begins to crumble.
The new production reunites Scott Thomas with Rickson following their acclaimed The Seagull, in which she played Arkadina and won the Olivier Award for Best Actress.
Mangan also reunites with Rickson after appearing in The Birthday Party in 2018, while Rickson and McPherson previously worked together on The Weir and Uncle Vanya.
Scott Thomas is perhaps best known for films including The English Patient, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Gosford Park and Darkest Hour, as well as her role as Diana Taverner in Slow Horses. Her return to the stage in one of Chekhov’s great plays makes The Cherry Orchard one of the notable West End productions arriving this autumn.
The creative team includes Chloe Lamford (set), Sussie Juhlin-Wallén (costume), Bruno Poet (lighting), Tom Gibbons (sound), Stephen Warbeck (music) and Shelley Maxwell (movement).
The Cherry Orchard is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions and Winkler & Smalberg. Image by Johan Persson.
The Cherry Orchard
Dates: 3 October 2026 – 9 January 2027
Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton St, London SW1Y 4DN
Performance times: Monday–Saturday, 7.30pm; Wednesday and Saturday, 2.30pm
Tickets and information: https://thecherryorchardplay.co.uk/
Elena Leo is the Culture & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
