First look at Elizabeth McGovern and Anatol Yusef in AVA: The Secret Conversations

A first look at the world premiere of AVA: The Secret Conversations has been revealed!

The new play by Elizabeth McGovern, adapted by the book by Peter Evans and Ava Gardner, is currently running at Riverside Studios in London through to 16 April 2022.

Taking to the stage with Academy Award-nominee McGovern (Downton Abbey), who stars as Ava, is Anatol Yusef (Boardwalk Empire,; Punisher) as Peter Evans, the journalist Ava hired to write her autobiography when she lived in 1980s London.

Directed by filmmaker Gaby Dellal (3 Generations, Angels Crest), AVA is a captivating exploration into the fractured relationship between the public and private lives of one of Hollywood’s greatest icons.

A teaser for the show shares: “Part memory play, part sparring match, through this tense and witty play Ava and Peter debate, fight and flirt their way through the memories of Ava’s fabulous life as they struggle to get the story straight.

“Expect a rich sensory journey through Ava’s whisky-soaked recollections of her life as an actor and with her three famous husbands – Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw and Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra.”

The production will feature design by 59 Productions, who will bring their unique talents with projection design to the production, evoking the magical atmosphere of Hollywood’s heyday.

It also features costume design by Fotini Dimou with lighting design by Elliot Griggs, sound design by Ella Wahlström and is produced by Karl Sydow with the support of the Ava Gardner Trust.

Producer Karl Sydow said: “I’m thrilled to have cast Anatol Yusef alongside Elizabeth McGovern in this fantastic new play that explores so much about what the legendary Ava Gardner had to deal with throughout her illustrious career and tumultuous marriages.”

For more information and tickets visit riversidestudios.co.uk