Stars including Stephen Fry, Griff Rhys Jones, Sir Derek Jacobi, Tamzin Outhwaite, Rebecca Front and Sharon D Clarke are part an online production at Ipswich’s New Wolsey Theatre to premiere in October.

East Anglian Daily Times: Sir Derek Jacobi is joining the New Wolsey murder mystery What A Carve Up! Picture: Derek JacobiSir Derek Jacobi is joining the New Wolsey murder mystery What A Carve Up! Picture: Derek Jacobi (Image: CONTRIBUTED)

The New Wolsey has teamed up with The Barn and Lawrence Batley Theatres to bring Jonathan Coe’s acclaimed novel What A Carve Up! to a virtual stage.

The novel has been adapted by Henry Filloux-Bennett especially for this digital production, to be directed by Theatre Clwyd artistic director Tamara Harvey.

New Wolsey Theatre artistic director Peter Rowe has been working closely with Mr Filloux-Bennett and Iwan Lewis, artistic director of The Barn Theatre in Cirencester, to develop the production and to find the right cast for this groundbreaking new show.

East Anglian Daily Times: The poster for the world premiere of the murder-mystery What A Carve Up! which features an all-star cast Photo: New Wolsey TheatreThe poster for the world premiere of the murder-mystery What A Carve Up! which features an all-star cast Photo: New Wolsey Theatre (Image: Archant)

Mr Rowe said: “This is the first time the three theatres have collaborated and it’s a great example of the ways in which theatres are innovating to bring new work to the ‘stage’ in these challenging times.

“The extraordinary cast that we’re announcing today shows the willingness of the sector to pull together to keep theatre alive. The show ‘opens’ online on October 31 and is available until November 29.”

The digital production chronicles the events leading up to the ‘Winshaw Murders’.

East Anglian Daily Times: Griff Rhys Jones who is joining the New Wolsey's online play What A Carve Up! this autumn Picture: STEVE ULLATHORNEGriff Rhys Jones who is joining the New Wolsey's online play What A Carve Up! this autumn Picture: STEVE ULLATHORNE (Image: Steve Ullathorne)

Filled with murder, mayhem and madness, the murder mystery turns a satirical eye on what it is like to be a member of one of the most corrupt, powerful and toxic families in the country.

Initial casting features Fiona Button as Josephine Winshaw-Eaves, Sharon D. Clarke as Kim Bolton, Rebecca Front as Hilary Winshaw, Stephen Fry as Patrick Mills, Sir Derek Jacobi as Findlay Onyx, Griff Rhys Jones as John Stephens and Tamzin Outhwaite as The Journalist.

Tickets can be purchased online at whatacarveup.com, with audience members receiving a screening link which will activate at the booked performance time for a 48-hour period.

East Anglian Daily Times: Former EastEnder Tamzin Outhwaite who is joining the cast of lthe New Wolsey co-production What A Carve Up! Photo: Ian West/PA WireFormer EastEnder Tamzin Outhwaite who is joining the cast of lthe New Wolsey co-production What A Carve Up! Photo: Ian West/PA Wire (Image: Archant)

A premium option, consisting of a physical programme and pre-theatre dining recipe card, curated by world-renowned chef Asma Khan, owner of the prestigious Darjeeling Express in London’s Soho.