Elaine Cassidy and Katherine Pearce to star in Even These Things at the Royal Exchange Theatre

The Royal Exchange Theatre announces that award-winning actress Elaine Cassidy and Katherine Pearce will be joining the cast of Rory Mullarkey’s original play EVEN THESE THINGS, which will have its World Premiere at the Manchester theatre as part of the 50^th anniversary season under the theme ‘A Homecoming’.

Directed by James Macdonald, this bold new piece of theatre takes place in three different moments of Manchester’s history, including the day the IRA bomb exploded in the city centre in 1996, asking us to imagine what lies beyond disaster. EVEN THESE THINGS will run from 15 May with its final performance taking place on 15 June 2026, 30 years to the day when the bomb exploded.

Award-winning Irish actress Elaine Cassidy will play Annie Donovan/Kaz. Her extensive film credits include DISCO PIGS (Temple Irish Film Board/ Ed Guiney), for which she won the Irish Film and Television Award, FELICIA’S JOURNEY (Icon Productions), THE WONDER (House Productions/Element Pictures) in which she starred alongside Florence Pugh. She also appeared in THE LAST KINGDOM: SEVEN KINGS MUST DIE (Carnival Film & Television) and recently completed filming THE REFORMATION OF SISTER EDITH, directed by Samuel Sebastian Cox. Cassidy’s stage credits include Donmar Warehouse productions such as ARISTOCRATS, FATHERS AND SONS as well as the critically praised revival of LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES. Further theatre credits include SCENES FROM THE BIG PICTURE (National Theatre), THERE CAME A GYPSY RIDING (Almeida Theatre), and productions with the Royal Shakespeare Company, including THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE and THE CRUCIBLE. Her television work includes a wide range of notable roles such as Abby Mills in HARPER’S ISLAND, earning her a second Irish Film and Television Award for Best Actress, FINGERSMITH (BBC), THE PARADISE (BBC), the BAFTA-nominated NO OFFENCE (Abbott Vision) and A ROOM WITH A VIEW (ITV). Most recently, Cassidy has appeared in BELGRAVIA: THE NEXT CHAPTER (Carnival Films & MGMPlus Studios), created by Julian Fellowes, and SANCTUARY: A WITCH’S TALE (AMC).

She is joined by Katherine Pearce as Jenny who makes a welcome return to the Royal Exchange after starring in OUR PALS and NO PAY? NO WAY! in 2023 and after touring the National Theatre’s production of HUSBANDS AND SONS at the Manchester venue in 2016. Further theatre credits include THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (Shakespeare’s Globe), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, KING JOHN and THE WHIP (Royal Shakespeare Company), and Island Town (Edinburgh Fringe), for which she received a Stage Award. Her screen credits include RULES OF THE GAME (BBC), GIRLFRIENDS (ITV), and the BAFTA‑winning drama THREE GIRLS (BBC). On film, she has appeared in Mark Gill’s ENGLAND IS MINE and Roger Michell’s MY COUSIN RACHEL. Fionnuala Dorrity is also joining the cast as Helicopter pilot/Queen Victoria.

To bring this story to life, the production will be completed by a community cast of 108 participants from across all ten Greater Manchester boroughs, highlighting the profound impact that the events had on the Manchester community and placing the people of Manchester at the very centre of the story.

Three centuries. Three moments in time. An epic story of Manchester and Ireland by multi award-winning playwright Rory Mullarkey premieres at the Royal Exchange Theatre, 30 years after an IRA bomb devastated the heart of the city.

In 1846, Annie Donovan has a score to settle; in 1996, it looks like any other Saturday morning in Manchester; and in 2026, Jenny moves back to the place where she grew up.

This original and moving new play explores private and public histories, grief and love – and the making and re-making of our city.

The creative team includes Designer, Laura Hopkins; Lighting Designer, Charles Balfour; Sound Designer, Ian Dickinson; Movement and Intimacy Director, Georgina Lamb; Casting Director, Amy Ball CDG; Children’s Casting Director, Keston & Keston; Dramaturg, Emily McLaughlin; Associate Director, Katie Greenall; and Assistant Director, Sadie Mears, who will bring this new work to life on the Royal Exchange’s iconic stage.

Even These Things plays at Royal Exchange Theatre 15 May – 15 June 2026. Tickets are available here.