Cast announced for Summerfolk at National Theatre

A razor-sharp portrait of class, privilege, and denial, Summerfolk first premiered on the UK stage at the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Aldwych Theatre in 1974. It last played at the National Theatre in 1999, where it was directed by Nick Dear.

Full cast for this new production includes Rebecca Banatvala as Sasha, Thomas Barrett as Maxim Zimin, Tamika Bennett as Sonya, Pip Carter as Pavel Sergeyich Ryumin, Peter Forbes as Semyon Semyonich Dvoyetochiye, Brandon Grace as Nikolai Petrovich Zamislov, Arthur Hughes as Pyotr Ivanich Suslov, Sam Jenkins-Shaw as Kropilkin, Gwyneth Keyworth as Olga Alekseyevna, Daniel Lapaine as Yakov Petrovich Shalimov, Alex Lawther as Vlass Mikhailich, Adelle Leonce as Yulia Filipovna, Doon Mackichan as Kaleria, Justine Mitchell as Maria Lvovna, Paul Ready as Sergei Vassilich Bassov, Sophie Rundle as Varvara Mikhailovna, Sid Sagar as Kirill Akimovich Dudakov and Richard Trinder as Pustobaika.

In the ensemble are Ivan Ivashkin, Aisha-Mae McCormick, Roisin Rae, Ellie Turner, and Joe Usher.

Set in 1905, Summerfolk follows a group of Russia's elite who retreat to the countryside to swim, sip champagne, and start affairs. However, Varvara can't shake the feeling that their holiday idyll is built on borrowed time. How long can they ignore the storm that is on the horizon?

The creative team is made up of set and costume designer Peter McKintosh, lighting designer Paul Pyant, sound designer Alexandra Faye Braithwaite, composer Nicola T. Chang, movement director Thomas Herron, Music Director Candida Caldicot, casting director Bryony Jarvis-Taylor CDG, voice coaches Shereen Ibrahim and Zoe Littleton, associate set designer Joseph Bisat Marshall, and BSL and staff director Lilac Yosiphon.

Summerfolk is playing at the Olivier Theatre from 6 March to 29 April 2026. It will follow the stage adaptation of Noel Streatfeild's Ballet Shoes, which plays to 21 February.

Summerfolk Tickets