Francesca Moody Productions, the powerhouse behind theater sensations “Fleabag” and “baby reindeer,” is bringing Tim Crouch’s groundbreaking play “An Oak Tree” to London’s The Young Vic Theater this spring, with a stellar cast including Sop Dirisu (“Gangs of London”), Michelle Terry (“Tribes”), Luke -A great bunch of talent is joining in. Thompson (“bridgerton“), Russell Tovey (“American Horror Story: NYC”) and Indira Varma (“game of Thrones,
The innovative production, running from May 6-17, has a unique twist: each performance pairs Crouch with a different guest artist who has neither seen nor read the play before taking the stage. The guest artists will be shown live to the audience on the same night of their respective performances.
“An Oak Tree”, which introduced the dramatic “cold-read” format, tells the story of a father who loses his daughter in a car accident and later confronts the stage hypnotist responsible for her death when He volunteers for the hypnotist’s work. Since its 2005 premiere, the drama has featured over 350 different guest stars globally, including Frances McDormand, Geoffrey Rush, Sharon D. Clarke, Alanis Morissette, Sophie Okonedo, and Peter Dinklage.
“Exactly 20 years ago a laboratory was set up in a small room above a pub in south London where an experiment took place,” says Crouch. “The actors were invited to try out a new play I’d written called ‘An Oak Tree’ – like preparing a new medicine. Each time a different actor, who knew nothing about the play they were about to appear in – a blind test each time. For some actors the drug was a stimulant. For some people it was heartbreaking. To some people it was a nuisance. This was a difficult task for some. But this experiment was never less than a thrill.
The production continues a hot streak for Francesca Moody Productions, whose stage-to-screen abilities have produced two of the biggest television hits of the decade with “Fleabag” and “Baby Reindeer”. The company’s slate includes “Weather Girl” at London’s Soho Theatre, “Feeling Afraid Like Something Terrible Is About To Happen” touring major Australian venues including the Sydney Opera House, and “How to Win Against History” at Bristol’s Old Vic. Are.
Thompson said: “I’m so excited to join the ‘Oak Tree’ family and be a part of a piece that I think is the best thing about going to the theater, that is actually having something live in front of you. It’s happening.” Filtered through a screen. I would say more but I don’t know what I’m doing…”
This production marks an important moment for The Young Vic, as it will be part of the 2025/26 season under new artistic director Nadia Fall, with the inaugural program to be announced later this spring.