Roseanne actress Laurie Metcalf is to return to the London stage after more than a decade to star opposite David Suchet in forthcoming drama Long Day’s Journey Into Night.
Eugene O’Neill’s autobiographical play will begin its run at the Apollo theatre from 2 April 2012 and will be directed by Anthony Page.
Long Day’s Journey Into Night, which won a Tony Award for its premiere production in 1957, centres on James Tyrone (Suchet) and his wife and children as they embark on a fateful summer’s day that sees the family battle their demons as old wounds are opened. The critically acclaimed play was made into a film starring Katherine Hepburn and Ralph Richardson in 1962.
Metcalf made her British stage debut in 2001 starring in a revival of Howard Davies’s Olivier Award-winning All My Sons at the National Theatre. While the actress is best known for her 11 year stint playing Jackie Harris in the American family sitcom Roseanne, Metcalf began her career in theatre at the Steppenwolf theatre company. Her most recent stage credits include her Tony Award-nominated appearance in David Mamet’s November, Voice Lessons in Hollywood and off-Broadway, and Detroit at the Steppenwolf’s theatre in Chicago.
On screen Metcalf has appeared in numerous films including Scream 2, Leaving Las Vegas, Desperately Seeking Susan and Uncle Buck, as well as voicing characters in the Toy Story trilogy and Persepolis. A regular comedy performer, Metcalf has also enjoyed a successful television career appearing in series including Desperate Housewives, The Big Bang Theory, Malcolm In The Middle and Absolutely Fabulous.
Long Day’s Journey Into Night follows the return to the Apollo theatre of the multi award-winning production Jerusalem. Further casting is yet to be announced.
CM