Last Updated on 12 July 2021 by Showcall Editorial Team
A film of Amy Berryman’s new play, Walden, is to be released in cinemas starring Gemma Arterton, Fehinti Balogun and Lydia Wilson
The West End production of Amy Berryman’s new play, Walden, has been filmed for releasing in selected cinemas across the UK in September.
The acclaimed show starred Gemma Arterton, Fehinti Balogun and Lydia Wilson in a story about the intensity of family love and loss against the backdrop of a looming climate emergency, set in Colorado in the near future.
After returning from a year-long Moon mission, NASA botanist Cassie finds herself in a remote cabin in the woods where her estranged twin sister, Stella, a former NASA architect, has found a new life with climate activist Bryan. Old wounds resurface as the sisters attempt to pick up the pieces of the rivalry that broke them apart.
Directed by Ian Rickson, Walden ran at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London from 22 May to 12 June 2021 as part of Sonia Friedman Productions’ Re:emerge season to mark the reopening of theatre buildings.
The 100-minute film, made at the theatre, will be released in UK cinemas from 8 September 2021. It is being released by Trafalgar Releasing in collaboration with Sonia Friedman Productions and Stage2View.
Sonia Friedman said: “This past 16 months has thrown up many challenges for live theatre, and one of the urgent responses we’ve had to this is to increase the availability of theatre on screen, thereby maximising accessibility and the audience reach of a production.
“Following our screen production of Uncle Vanya, I’m delighted that we are able to bring Amy Berryman’s Walden to cinema screens across the UK. An engaging piece examining the bond between siblings, and a timely debate on the impact of climate change on our planet, filmed without an audience, Walden was one of the first plays to reopen the West End earlier this year.
“With social distancing a necessity, Walden could only reach a limited audience for its run despite playing to its full authorised capacity so this is a wonderful opportunity to share this invigorating new play, Ian Rickson’s pinpoint direction, and the extraordinary performances of Gemma Arterton, Fehinti Balogun and Lydia Wilson with audiences more widely.”
Joshua Andrews of Stage2View added: “Stage2View are honoured to have financed and produced the film capture of Sonia Friedman’s exquisite production of Walden. As theatre producers ourselves, we share Sonia’s desire to maximise accessibility and audience reach of such high-quality productions and stage performances, and in doing so celebrate the return of live theatre.”
