Ben Whishaw returns to the Almeida

Bond and Paddington star Ben Whishaw returns to the Almeida stage in a new play by Chris Shinn, marking the first performance since his star turn in Bakkhai in 2015. Taking on the role of a Silicon Valley entrepreneur who believes that he hears the word of God, he faces violent opposition to his project, launching a rocket to space. But will this aerospace billionaire succeed in his endeavour to change the world? This new play will be helmed by Ian Rickson, previously artistic director at the Royal Court Theatre.

Ben Whishaw has emerged as one of the biggest new stars of British film and theatre, having won over the critics in 2004 for his role in Hamlet, for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award. In 2016 he performed on Broadway in the lead role of John Proctor in The Crucible, gaining a World Theatre Award in the process. His notable film catelogue includes roles in 2006's Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, 2008's Brideshead Revisited 2012's Cloud Atlas and of course, his sexy geeky role as Q in the rebooted Bond series. He took on the role of Paddington Bear in 2014's family hit, after Colin Firth dropped out.