CAST ANNOUNCED FOR JOSHUA HARMON’S WE HAD A WORLD
Posted on 21 April 2026.
Posted in: Announcements
Suzanne Bertish, Anna Francolini and Ryan Kopel feature in the UK premiere production of We Had A World by Joshua Harmon at Hampstead Theatre from Friday 29 May to Saturday 4 July.
Joshua Harmon’s deeply personal and searingly funny play brings to life his New York childhood, caught between his hilariously eccentric but indomitable grandmother and his mother. His grandmother’s influence shapes him as both a person and an artist, but as he traces the family’s relationships, he uncovers their secrets, revealing thirty years of family fights, monstrous behaviour, enormous cruelty and enduring love.
Olivier Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated Suzanne Bertish (Troilus & Cressida, RSC; Star Wars: Andor) plays Renee; Anna Francolini (London Road, National Theatre; Sex Education, Netflix) plays Ellen and Ryan Kopel (The Inheritance, Young Vic; Dear Evan Hansen, UK tour) plays Joshua.
Joshua Harmon’s plays include Bad Jews, which played three sold out West End seasons, Admissions and the Tony Award-nominated Prayer for the French Republic.
Director Josh Seymour makes his Hampstead Theatre debut; his recent productions include Ragdoll (Jermyn Street Theatre) and That Face (Orange Tree).
Josh Seymour says:
“I am so excited to work with this phenomenal cast to bring Joshua Harmon’s captivating play to life. Experiencing the dazzling talents of these acclaimed actors at such close quarters, in a play full of emotional fireworks, will be a real treat for audiences. It’s a deeply personal piece, exploring Joshua’s relationship with his fascinating, elusive grandmother, which moves me every time I read it. I have no doubt it will resonate with everyone who has experienced those strange moments when your perspective on someone you thought you knew inside out is turned upside down.”
Design is by Sarah Beaton, lighting design by Joshua Gadsby and sound design by Lex Kosanke. The movement director is Ingrid Mackinnon, the fight director is Bethan Clark, the dialect coach is Aundrea Fudge and voice coach Tess Dignan.
We Had A World plays Downstairs at Hampstead Theatre from 29 May to 4 July.
