Ben Whishaw returns to the Almeida as part of a season of post-truth theatre. Against, a world premiere by Christopher Shinn, considers the 2016 buzzword on a more intimate level to explore how far one man really knows the truth about himself.

Whishaw plays Luke, an outrageously successful aerospace entrepreneur who believes he is being directed by god. Against a futuristic Silicon Valley backdrop, Luke sets out to change the world. Details are sparse but expect violence, intrigue, and a taut portrait of humanity from the Pulitzer-nominated playwright behind Teddy Ferarra (Donmar 2015). Ian Rickson, the former head of the Royal Court and bonafide expert in staging new writing, directs the production.

With an ecclectic film, screen and stage career spanning Greek tragedy to James Bond, Whishaw is the kind of actor who sells out theatres and leaves large auditoriums rapt. There's an intensity to his performance – whether as techy Q or an inebriated Greek god. We look forward to seeing him in a soul-searching role in what sounds like a searingly zeitgeist-y new play.