Martin Shaw (2)

Martin Shaw leads the cast in the timely UK premiere of Gore Vidal’s award-winning play about the race to the White House.

Two opposing presidential party candidates are neck and neck in an unscrupulous battle for the nomination. The only thing that separates the ex-Secretary of State and his popularist opponent is an endorsement from a respected ex-President. But where does compromise end and corruption begin? And who in the end will be proved to be 'the best man'?

One of the UK’s best loved and most respected actors, Martin Shaw rose to stardom in the late seventies in The Professionals, launching a career that has hardly seen him out of the limelight since. He is best known for starring in the multi award winning BBC drama Judge John Deed and more recently Inspector George Gently.

On stage, his revelatory performance as Lord Goring in Peter Hall’s production of An Ideal Husband earned him an Olivier and a Tony nomination and the coveted New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award. Other West End triumphs include the acclaimed Twelve Angry Men, Are You Lonesome Tonight?, A Man For All Seasons and Hobson's Choice. He returns to the stage in a role made famous by Henry Fonda in the award-winning film adaptation of The Best Man.

Born into a distinguished political family, Gore Vidal was a prolific writer known for the waspish wit which peppered his essays, novels, screenplays and Broadway plays. Among his most famous works are Myra Breckinridge and Lincoln.