The Royal Court theatre in London and London's International Festival of Theatre (LIFT) have unveiled five of the 15 actors who will perform in the world premiere of ECHO (Every Cold-Hearted Oxygen), Variety reports.

Fiona Shaw, the Cork native known for her work on the television series Killing Eve and her stunning one-woman production of T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land, among a number of theatrical productions and Olivier nominations, has been cast along side Olivier winners Kathryn Hunter (Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead) and Toby Jones (Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office), as well as BAFTA winner Meera Syal (Roar). Also announced is Rebecca Lucy Taylor, who is perhaps best known for her experimental pop solo project Self Esteem. Taylor made her West End debut late last year, where she performed the lead role of Sally Bowles in Cabaret.

“Alarmingly my gut is telling me to choose interesting and challenging projects when it comes to my acting career," says Taylor. "I am honored and terrified to be asked to be a part of this insanely special event. The fear is so loud that I know it’s the right thing to do."

Each cast member will perform the latest work from acclaimed Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour, who is best known for his 2010 play White Rabbit Red Rabbit, alongside director Omar Elerian (Misty). 

Soleimanpour has quickly become known for his unrehearsed cold reads and ECHO will continue this trend, while pushing its boundaries even further. Across the three-week run, a different performer will take the stage at each show without being apprised of what is going to be asked and expected of them. Unprepared, the script becomes their guide as they journey through the story of the playwright, connected and streamed live from his Berlin flat.

"ECHO asks us to confront what it feels like to be a immigrant in time, as much as in space. Fusing technology with the oldest tricks in the book, ECHO is an experiment in concept touring for the age of climate crisis: an ambitious, magical and uncompromising production where no one travels yet everybody can be present," reads a press statement.

ECHO will run at the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs from 13th July-27th July, with more actors and dates to be revealed.

For tickets, please see here.