John Partridge to Star as Dr Hannibal Lecter in the UK Tour of The Silence of the Lambs

The Silence of the Lambs will make its world premiere play debut in Leicester this August before embarking on a UK and Ireland tour.

British actor, singer, presenter, writer and director John Partridge will don the iconic mask as the refined and sadistic Dr Hannibal Lecter. His credits include CATS and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, but he is mostly known for starring as Christian Clarke in EastEnders.

Acclaimed television writer and playwright Gina Gionfriddo (Law & Order (NBC), House of Cards (Netflix), Becky Shaw) brings Thomas Harris’s gripping literary masterpiece to the stage in a new modern adaptation directed by Curve’s Artistic Director, Nikolai Foster. Gionfriddo’s theatrical adaptation delves into the psychological tension of Thomas Harris’s landmark novel, drawing the audience deep into Clarice and Lecter’s intelligent, intricate, and bone-chilling game of cat-and-mouse, as the FBI scramble to catch Buffalo Bill, a serial killer still at large.

John Partridge says of his casting in the upcoming tour ‘’How often does an actor get to play a role that by simply saying the character’s name, it takes your breath away. It’s a huge honour, and I intend to savour every morsel of it!’’

Director Nikolai Foster adds: “Taking on a role like Hannibal Lecter requires real guts, tenacity and an appetite to confront the darkest depths of the human condition. Working with John on the role has been incredibly inspiring - his instincts are razor sharp - and there is no finer actor to bring to life Thomas Harris’s most chilling creation in our world premiere stage adaptation.”

Full creative team and further casting to be announced.

The Silence of the Lambs is produced by Indigo Productions and Crossroads Live in association with Curve.

The Silence of Lambs will play at the Curve Theatre, Leicester from 01 August before embarking on a UK and Ireland tour.