Kelly Gough and Zackary Momoh lead the cast of DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS, a new version of Eugene O’Neill’s play, directed by Ebenezer Bamgboye at the Almeida Theatre from Tuesday 10 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026.
You said it yourself, you can’t beat nature.
As Eben and his half-brothers toil on their family farm, they dream of the future.
Peter and Simeon plan to escape, while Eben longs to have the farm all to himself.
Any fantasies are on hold until the return of their patriarch Ephraim, who disappeared without a word two months ago. And when he does finally resurface, he is not alone. An unexpected companion instantly explodes both the status quo and their imagined futures.
Former Almeida Resident Director Ebenezer Bamgboye (The Lonely Londoners) directs Zackary Momoh (Seven Seconds; Harriet) in a new version of four-time Pulitzer Prize winner Eugene O’Neill’s twentieth-century classic. Inspired by Greek tragedy, this shattering family drama is a raging battle between the passion of the heart and the reason of the mind.
Performances are at 7.30pm with 2pm matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
There’s a £5 ticket offer for under-25s for performances from 10 to 16 November.
The age guidance is 15+, and a running time hasn’t been listed yet.
CAST
Zackary Momoh as Eben
Kelly Gough as Abbie
Antony Byrne as Ephraim
Thomas Coombes as Peter / Guest 1
Jamie Beamish as Simeon / Guest 2
Choolwe Laina Muntanga as Spirit / Singer
Tendai Humphrey Sitima as Spirit / Guitar
Nathaniel Wade as Spirit / Trumpet
CREATIVE TEAM
Ebenezer Bamgboye directs. Basia Bińkowska designs the set, Camilla Dely the costumes, Jack Knowles the lighting and George Dennis the sound. XANA is the composer and musical director, and Rose Ryan is the movement and intimacy director.
ACCESS PERFORMANCES
BSL-interpreted on Tuesday 24 November at 7.30pm
Audio described on Saturday 28 November at 2pm (with a touch tour at 12pm)
Captioned on Monday 30 November at 7.30pm
Relaxed on Wednesday 9 December at 2pm and 7.30pm.
WHERE IS IT PLAYING?
The Almeida Theatre is on Almeida Street in Islington (N1 1TA). Booking and full details are on the Almeida website.
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