Two Ladies, Bridge Theatre

Nicholas Hytner directs the world premiere of Two Ladies, Nancy Harris's story of diplomacy and suspicion starring Zoë Wanamaker and Zrinka Cvitešić as the First Ladies of France and America.

Two presidents are at loggerheads over an international crisis. Meanwhile, the two First Ladies wait together in the next room. Tensions are high and the encounter is steeped in superstition. Can the two women trust each other? Can they trust their husbands. With so much political discourse dominated by men, we look forward to seeing from the perspectives of the wives.

The titular two ladies will be played by a pair of experienced, award-winning actors. Zoë Wanamaker's stage successes span the RSC and Royal Court, to Pinter on the West End and she's a familiar face thanks to roles in My Family and the Harry Potter films. Croatian-born Zrinka Cvitešić has won a host of accolades, including a Medal of Honour from the Croatian President, for her achievements in international film and theatre. She was last seen on the London stage in Once, for which she won the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

Irish playwright Nancy Harris won the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature for her debut play in 2004 and then was nominated for a BAFTA for breakthrough talent in 2014 . She has since staged works at the Gate Theatre in Dublin and London's Bush Theatre, but this new play at Bridge Theatre is her highest profile work to date.

As former artistic director the National Theatre and head of the Bridge Theatre, Nicholas Hytner has a track record for sniffing out fresh talent. Under his direction, and with an accomplished cast on stage, this premiere has plenty of promise.