{"id":540143,"date":"2026-07-09T00:37:10","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T00:37:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/540143\/"},"modified":"2026-07-09T00:37:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T00:37:10","slug":"eastenders-star-tracy-ann-oberman-lands-celebrated-new-role-after-chrissie-watts-exit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/540143\/","title":{"rendered":"EastEnders star Tracy-Ann Oberman lands “celebrated” new role after Chrissie Watts exit"},"content":{"rendered":"

EastEnders star Tracy-Ann Oberman has a new role on the horizon after her brief return to the Square. The actor reprised the role of Chrissie Watts over Christmas last year after having made a comeback earlier in 2025 for the soap’s 40th anniversary.<\/p>\n

Now, the star, whose other acting credits include Friday Night Dinner, has been announced for a role in an acclaimed play adaptation to be directed by Lindsay Posner. Oberman is set to play the lead role in a reimagining of No\u00ebl Coward’s “celebrated and hilarious” stage play Present Laughter, which debuts at Theatre Royal Bath from 27 August to 5 September prior to a national tour.<\/p>\n

After receiving acclaim for her gender-swapped performance of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice 1936, Oberman returns in another role written for a male actor. She is to play protagonist Geri Essendine, becoming the first female star to do so.<\/p>\n

\"chrissie<\/p>\n

Jack Barnes\/\/BBC<\/p>\n

Written as Garry Essendine and originated by Coward himself, the lead role of Geri is described as a “hugely successful” star “who’s been 39 for the best part of a decade”.<\/p>\n

“Her personality, wit and charm have earned her a legion of devoted fans, young and old, and a coterie of friends, acquaintances and hangers-on. Just as she is about to depart for a tour of Africa, Geri finds herself besieged by a bevvy of would-be lovers, not to mention her long-suffering secretary, estranged husband and an obsessed young playwright,” the synopsis teases. <\/p>\n

“Will she ever disentangle herself from their tightening clutches and incessant demands? And deep down, does she really want to\u2026?”<\/p>\n

\"tracy<\/p>\n

Augusta Productions<\/p>\n

Oberman is joined by James Dreyfus and Adrian Lukis as Monty and Len, respectively.<\/p>\n

Cast is rounded out by Richenda Carey as Lady Saltburn, Seb Carrington as David Stillington, Eva Feiler as Rosina Maule, Gabriella Foley as Miss Erikson, Charlotte Randleas Henrietta, Jonathan Tafler as Morris, Perry Williams as Fred and Kit Young as Johannes.<\/p>\n

The tour will stop in Cambridge, Malvern, Richmond, Cheltenham, York, Pool, Liverpool, and Chichester, where it’ll end on 28 November.<\/p>\n

Tour dates and venues as follows:<\/p>\n

Bath Theatre Royal | 27 August \u2013 5 September 2026 Cambridge Arts Theatre | 8 September \u2013 12 September 2026Malvern Festival Theatres | 15 September \u2013 19 September 2026 London Richmond Theatre | 22 September \u2013 26 September 2026 Cheltenham Everyman Theatre | 29 September \u2013 3 October 2026 York Grand Opera House | 6 October \u2013 10 October 2026Lighthouse Poole | Tuesday 13 October \u2013 Saturday 17 October 2026 Liverpool Playhouse | Tuesday 20 October \u2013 Saturday 24 October 2026 Chichester Festival Theatre | Tuesday 23 November \u2013 Saturday 28 November 2026
<\/p>\n

Present Laughter runs from 27 August through to 28 November.<\/p>\n

Visit our Streaming Guide<\/a> now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.<\/p>\n

The new edition of Living Legends, celebrating the global phenomenon of BTS, is here! Buy this ultimate fan guide in newsagents or online<\/a>.
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