Harry Potter’s Rupert Grint, Downton Abbey’s Brendan Coyle, Skyfall’s Ben Whishaw and stage vet Daniel Mays will lead the first major revival of Jez Butterworth’s Mojo on the West End. Directed by original helmer Ian Rickson, the show will begin previews at the Harold Pinter Theatre on October 26, 2013.
Set in a seedy nightclub in the fledgling rock ‘n’ roll scene of the ‘50s, Mojo tells the story of a rising rock star, a jealous manager, a scheming gangster, an ambitious club owner, a kidnapping and a murder that ties it all together. The show is a dark comedy about the sleazy underworld and power games of London’s infamous music district.
Mojo marks the first professional stage appearance for Grint, who is most famous for his role as Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter franchise. Coyle, who earned his first Emmy nomination in 2012 for his role of Mr. Bates on Downton Abbey, is an Olivier winner for his performance in The Weir in 1999. Whishaw is best known to audiences for his roles on screen in Skkyfall, Cloud Atlas and The Hour, and for his Olivier-nominated turn in Trevor Nunn’s 2004 production of Hamlet at the Old Vic. Mays’ stage work includes Ladybird, The Winterling and Motortown; on-screen, he’s starred in Made in Dagenham, Ashes to Ashes and Outcasts.
Mojo opened in 1995 in the West End and went on to win the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. Additional casting for Mojo will be announced in September.