Two giants of stage and screen are currently starring in Waiting for Godot at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart are rare beasts – both are serious thesps and sci-fi/fantasy movie heroes (or villains).
Of course, Waiting for Godot comes down firmly on the side of thought-provoking theatre; existential musings punctuated with moments of lightness and laughter. As you’d expect, these two master actors captivate the audience and Simon Callow’s Pozzo is well worth a special mention too.
But could I forget who the actors were and simply see the characters without the stardust?
The London theatre scene has become popular with movie actors, celebrities and wannabes from Nicole Kidman to Abi Titmuss.
Have you seen a big name on the London stage? Were they a hit or a miss?
I thought Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan were both a big hit when I saw Waiting for Godot!
John Simm was great in Elling in 2007.
Agree with you about John Simm.
Don Johnson was pretty dire in Guys and Dolls – it appeared as though he couldn’t do the dance moves so would surreptitiously exit stage left when things got too tough and then re-emerge to receive the applause!
I can’t imagine wanting to see Don Johnson.
The Hoff was brilliant in Chicago – far, far better than I ever imagined he might be.
Ian McKellen was great in Godot, but then he usually is. As a fellow Wiganer, I loved the Lancashire accent.
He and Patrick Stewart are proper actors though, if you get into the “stunt casting” mould it all starts to get a bit dodgy…
I’d love to see Jerry Springer in Chicago!