From the writer of the Academy Award-winning Bohemian Rhapsody, Darkest Hour and The Theory of Everything, comes the play that sparked a major motion picture.

The Two Popes will run at the Rose Theatre in Kingston from 9 to 23 September, after which it will tour to Cambridge Arts Theatre, Everyman Theatre Cheltenham, Royal & Derngate Northampton, Oxford Playhouse and Theatre Royal Bath.

Nine years ago, Pope Benedict XVI stunned the world by resigning, the first pope in 700 years to do so. What drove this archconservative to break with sacred tradition and make way to a former tango club bouncer and football-loving reformer with the common touch, who would become Pope Francis?

Nicholas Woodeson (front) and Anton Lesser star in The Two Popes (Credit: Manuel Harlan).

The gripping and entertaining play stars Anton Lesser (Game of Thrones, The Crown, Endeavour) who takes up the role of Pope Benedict XVI and Nicholas Woodeson (Baptiste, The Death of Stalin, The Danish Girl), Cardinal Bergoglio - the future Pope Francis.

Joining the duo will be Lynsey Beauchamp as Sister Brigitta and Leaphia Darko as Sister Sophia, with Malcolm James and Angela Jones in the ensemble.

(Credit: Manuel Harlan).

The play comes from Anthony McCarten which premiered at Royal & Derngate, Northampton in 2019 and was adapted into the multi-award-winning film, for which McCarten was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy, Golden Globe and BAFTA Awards.

Directed by James Dacre (2020 Olivier Award-nominated Our Lady of Kibeho), the original music comes from Grammy and BRIT Award-winning composer Anne Dudley. The production is designed by Jonathan Fensom, with lighting coming from Charles Balfour, sound design by David Gregory and video and projection from Duncan McLean.

The Associate Director is Sarah Stacey, the Associate Lighting Designer is Ric Mountjoy, and the original casting was by Annelie CDG and Stuart Burt CDG.

To purchase your tickets now, head to the Rose Theatre here.