Keira Knightley, Luke Thompson and Stephen Dillane to star in The Lives of Others in the West End
Robert Icke will adapt and direct the world premiere of the stage adaptation of Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s Academy Award-winning film The Lives of Others in the West End later this year.
The production, set to play at the Adelphi Theatre, will star Academy Award nominee Keira Knightley, Emmy Award winner Stephen Dillane and Olivier Award nominee Luke Thompson.
Further casting is to be announced.
Designed by Hildegard Bechtler, with lighting design by Jon Clark, sound design by Giles Thomas, and original music by the multi-award-winning composer Max Richter. Casting is by Julia Horan CDG.
1984. East Germany. The Lives of Others centres on a writer and an actor who are placed under state surveillance. From the attic above their apartment, their Stasi man listens for evidence of subversion. But to observe a life is to risk changing your own. Based on the Oscar-winning film released in 2007, the story explores artistic censorship, state surveillance and the relationship between art and politics.
Produced by Sonia Friedman, she today commented, “I’ve been obsessed with The Lives of Others ever since I first saw it - Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s exquisite, haunting, and completely masterful film, and there is no one better than Robert Icke to bring this to life onstage. He has this rare ability to combine huge ideas with real emotional truth, and I know he and the company will find a way to realise it that feels both unexpected and completely thrilling.
“Set in East Berlin in 1984 - a world where nothing is private, every word carries consequence, and the state holds power not just over lives, but over thought, speech and imagination itself, this world premiere is a reminder of how fragile those freedoms are, and of the cost and courage required to hold on to them.”
“What I love most about it is that it’s both epic and intimate - incredibly beautiful, sad, and deeply moving - and at its heart, it’s an unlikely story about kindness. A story about connection and compassion in the most unexpected places.”
“To have a company led by Keira Knightley, Stephen Dillane and Luke Thompson at the Adelphi Theatre this autumn makes it all the more special. And in an extraordinary coup, we’re incredibly excited that Max Richter will be composing new music for the production. Max is one of the great composers of our time, and his work has a depth and emotional truth that has the potential to break our hearts.”
“I really can’t wait to share it with audiences.”
The Lives of Others will play at the Adelphi Theatre from 14 October to 9 January 2027. Tickets are now on sale from £25, with over 36,000 seats available across the run at under £35 which is 25% of the seats available. Purchase your tickets from www.thelivesofothersplay.com
