Chris Pine in Ivanov
Star Trek‘s Chris Pine will make his London stage debut as Nikolai Ivanov, a man possibly in a midlife crisis, at the Bridge Theatre next year.
The play, Ivanov, is written and directed by Simon Stone, an Aussie director known for his contemporary reimaginings of classic works.
A synopsis for the play reads: “Nikolai has forgotten how to be happy. Or was he ever? Is it just burnout? He’s married to the perfect woman, he’s had a successful career: he should be heading into mid-life feeling confident and settled. Sure there’s some debts piling up, and his wife has been laid low with unexplained illnesses recently but they’ve jumped bigger hurdles before.
“What exactly is gnawing at him? Why does the world feel like it’s falling apart? Maybe he just needs to shake it off. There’s a party at the Lebedevs tonight!
“Can Nikolai save his marriage, his will to live, and his career all at once? Or was it always destined to go tits up? “
“After admiring Chris from afar for a long time it was a delight to discover that not only is he a thespian from way back but he’s uniquely sensitive and brilliantly intelligent too,” Stone said.
“I’ve seen in his work how hilarious he can be but also how moving: you can’t do Chekhov without both. Ivanov is the most knotty of his male characters, a challenge and a gift. I just can’t wait to unleash Chris’ version on London audiences!”
Pine said: “I’m delighted to be collaborating with Simon on his new production of Chehkov’s Ivanov. I’m excited to bring this complex character and story to life and to take part in Simon’s singular creative process.
“It’s been over ten years since I was on stage and to be able to return to it in London at the beautiful Bridge Theatre is a thrill. I can’t wait to start.”
Ivanov plays at the Bridge Theatre from July 4, 2026 to September 19, 2026.
