Cast announced for The Earthworks directed by Genesis Future Director Award recipient Andrea Ling

29 February 2024

3 headshots of actors Natalie Dew, Mark Edel-Hunt and Anemone Rasmussen side by side.

(c) Daniel Sutka, Ruth Crafer, YellowBaby

The Young Vic Theatre has announced its casting for The Earthworks directed by Andrea Ling, the 2023 Genesis Future Directors Award recipient. Written by Olivier Award winner Tom Morton-Smith (My Neighbour Totoro, Oppenheimer at the RSC), it will be in the Young Vic’s Clare Theatre from 26 March to 6 April.

Olivier Award nominated actress Natalie Dew (Mates in Chelsea, Bend It Like Beckham: The Musical) will play Clare, Mark Edel-Hunt (Leopoldstadt, Sister Boniface Mysteries) will play Fritjof and Anemone Rasmussen makes her professional theatre debut as Herta.

The Earthworks is a moving and humorous exploration into carrying the weight of grief and knowing when it’s time to let go.

The creative team is completed by Designer Emma Bailey, Lighting Designer Bethany Gupwell, Sound Designer XANA, Movement Director Chi-San Howard and Casting Director Polly Jerold.

The Genesis Future Directors Award provides early-career directors with the opportunity to explore and develop their craft by creating their first fully resourced production at the Young Vic, with mentoring and support from the theatre’s core artistic team including Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah and the current Genesis Fellow Taio Lawson.

Since its inception in 2012, the Genesis Future Directors Award has supported 16 emerging directors and theatre-makers. Among them are Diyan Zora, who directed Mom, How Did You Meet The Beatles? at Chichester Festival in 2023; Debbie Hannan, Associate Director at the National Theatre of Scotland; Nancy Medina, Artistic Director of the Bristol Old Vic; Matthew Xia, Artistic Director and joint CEO of Actors Touring Company; Lekan Lawal, Artistic Director of Eclipse Theatre and Tinuke Craig, who directed August Wilson’s Jitney in 2022 at Leeds Playhouse and the Old Vic.

Natalie Dew (Clare) has appeared across stage, television and film. Her recent credits include Mates in Chelsea at the Royal Court, The Capture (BBC), and Sandylands (Gold). Natalie received an Olivier nomination for portraying Jess Bhamra in Bend It Like Beckham: The Musical (West End) and returns to the Young Vic where she previously played Olivia in Twelfth Night.  

Mark Edel-Hunt (Fritjof) has appeared across stage and screen. He most recently appeared in Leopoldstadt (West End) with recent television credits including All The Light We Cannot See (Netflix), Sister Boniface Mysteries (BBC), The Royal Mob (Sky) and The White Princess (Starz).

Anemone Rasmussen (Herta) is a recent East 15 Acting School graduate. The Earthworks will be her professional debut. 

BSL Performance: Thu 4 April 2024, 7.45pm
Captioned Performance: Fri 5 April 2024, 7.45pm
Audio Described Performance: Sat 6 April 2024, 7.45pm

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