Award-winning theatre company Headlong has revealed the cast for their upcoming UK tour of “The House Party,” a contemporary reimagining of Strindberg’s “Miss Julie.” The production, which premiered at Chichester Festival Theatre in 2024, will feature “Bridgerton” star Sesley Hope as Christine, alongside Synnøve Karlsen (“Miss Austen”) as Julie and Tom Lewis (“Gentleman Jack”) as Jon.
The play, written by Laura Lomas and directed by Headlong’s Artistic Director Holly Race Roughan, updates Strindberg’s classic for modern audiences. Set during an 18th birthday celebration in a luxurious townhouse, the story follows Julie, a privileged teenager reeling from a breakup, and the complex dynamics between her, her best friend Christine, and Christine’s boyfriend Jon, the son of Julie’s cleaner.
“Bringing new plays back to life right now on stages across the UK is vital,” says Race Roughan. “I couldn’t have hoped for a sharper, more thrilling group of young actors to ignite the 1800s fire in Lomas’ scorching modern take on Miss Julie.”
The production, created in association with Frantic Assembly, will tour key venues across the UK, including Leeds Playhouse (February 21 – March 1), Rose Theatre, Kingston (March 4-22), HOME Manchester (March 25-29), Bristol Old Vic (April 23 – May 3), and Belgrade Theatre Coventry (May 7-10).
This touring production forms part of Headlong’s 50th anniversary celebrations, following successful runs of “A Raisin in the Sun” and “People, Places & Things” starring Denise Gough. The company has built a reputation for presenting challenging, contemporary interpretations of classic works alongside new writing.
“The House Party” explores themes of privilege, desire, and destruction through the lens of a modern teenage party, promising an “electric, unrelenting” experience that speaks to audiences of all ages.
The production is supported by Charles Holloway OBE, with tickets available through Headlong’s website. This tour represents another ambitious step for the company as it continues to bring innovative theatre to audiences across the country.
