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26 Apr
2012

Thursday Theatre News: The King’s Speech, Abigail’s Party, Let It Be, Raza Jaffrey and Lisa Dillon

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Sad news first: The King’s Speech is closing early, which is a real shame. I saw this show early on in its run, and thought it was a fantastic piece of theatre. You’ll have to be quick if you want to see it before it ends now: closing night is on 12 May.

This does mean there’s space for the excellent Abigail’s Party to transfer from the Menier Chocolate Factory, where it had a sold out run, to the larger Wyndham’s Theatre. Starring Jill Halfpenny, Joe Absolom and Natalie Casey (who’s hilarious), this is a brilliant new version of Mike Leigh’s classic comedy and should continue to make audiences cringe and chortle in equal measure now it’s in the West End.

Other new shows heading to London in the coming weeks are Six Actors In Search Of A Director, a new comedy written and directed by Steven Berkoff at the Charing Cross Theatre from 16 May; and Democracy, Sheffield Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Michael Frayn’s 2003 hit, at the Old Vic from 15 June.

Finally, have you ever fancied yourself as one of The Beatles? New West End theatrical concert, Let It Be, is running open auditions to find actor-musicians to play the fab four. Head to the Gielgud Theatre on 8 May to show off your talents; successful applicants will join the cast of Let It Be when it opens at the Prince of Wales Theatre in September this year.

London Cast News:

Star of American hit series Smash, Raza Jaffrey is to play the sleazy lawyer Billy Flynn in Chicago from 16 May to 14 July this summer. He’ll then be replaced by Olympic gold medallist and Dancing On Ice judge Robin Cousins.

Lisa Dillon will star alongside Stephen Mangan in the Royal Court’s forthcoming production of Birthday, from 22 June. Joe Penhall’s tense new comedy is about a couple waiting for the arrival of their new baby.

You can find out all you need to know about London theatre, book tickets and read about all the shows on offer on our main website: visitlondon.com/events/theatre

13 Oct
2011

Thursday Theatre News: Celia Imrie, America Ferrera, Joley Richardson, Million Dollar Quartet & The Kings Speech

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Sad news to start this week: Million Dollar Quartet is closing. After nearly a year in the West End, the musical which celebrates the four greats of rock’n’roll (Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins) will close on 14 January at the Noel Coward Theatre. (The producers are planning to take the production on a tour of the UK, so this isn’t necessarily the end for this show!)

Are you a fan of The Kings Speech? The Oscar-winning film actually started life as a play by David Seidler, which is happily being produced at the Richmond Theatre next March. The Kings Speech is directed by former RSC Artistic Director Adrian Noble and stars Charles Edwards as King George VI. I think it’ll make a fantastic play; can’t wait to see it!

And now this week’s cast news:

More next week!

28 Sep
2011

The Playboy of the Western World at the Old Vic Theatre

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The draw for many seeing The Playboy of the Western World will be the chance to see Misfit star Robert Sheehan perform on stage.

And he doesn’t disappoint. Sheehan plays lead Christie Mahon in J M Synge’s dark Irish comedy about a strange lad who shows up in a County Mayo village, seemingly on the run. His claim, that he’s killed his father, quickly wins him bizarre levels of respect from the bored villagers, enchanted with tales of another part of the world and “a daring deed.” Christie, a loser all his life, suddenly finds himself greeted as a hero, fighting off the attentions of various girls and given grudging respect by the men of the village.

But this Mayo village is topsy-turvy place, and when Christie’s father shows up, very much alive despite the large gash in his head, the villagers turn on their “Playboy” with brutal tragicomic consequences.

John Crowley’s production at the Old Vic is a lively one, which really milks the comic potential behind the reversal-of-fortune storytelling, and lets the wonderful, lyrical language shine.

Sheehan makes a great Christie: gorgeous, of course, but he really convinces as the shambolic shuffling nobody (reminding me, at times, of Paolo Nutini) who grows in confidence, then overreaching pride, and then vanity, with every compliment.

Niamh Cusack and Ruth Negga provide great support as the two rival women playing for Christie’s affections. The wily Widow Quin (Cusack) provides some nice comic moments; Negga’s Pegeen is superbly sexy, with a really nasty streak.

But you can’t help but pity Pegeen in the final moments of the play, when the sassiest member of this strange little community cries, plaintively, “I’ve lost him!” Negga fills the line with emotion, calling out for all the losses of the play: loss of respect for family, for human life, for truth; loss of persepective; the loss of hope. It’s perfectly pitched, and a powerful moment.

Be warned: some of the incredibly broad Irish vernacular is difficult to understand, and sitting towards the back, I did “lose” some of the lines from quieter members of the cast.

But if you relax your ears and let it wash over you, confident in Synge’s strange but strong storytelling, the brutal black comedy, and the witty characterisations, you’ll have a fun night.

The Playboy of the Western World plays at the Old Vic until 26 November. Book tickets here.

15 Sep
2011

Thursday Theatre News: Matt Willis, Adam Cooper, Laurie Metcalf and the Gruffalo

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London’s theatreland is planning ahead for Christmas (please don’t groan!).

I’ve got three Christmassy announcements, the first from the Old Vic, which is reviving Michael Frayn’s hugely successful comedy Noises Off, directed by Lindsay Posner, over the festive period. Second, a new musical version of Swallows and Amazons will be produced by the National Theatre at the Vaudeville for Christmas; with music by Neil Hannon of the Divine Comedy. And children’s favourite, The Gruffalo will be bringing its terrible tusks and terrible claws to the Lyric for morning and afternoon performances from November to January.

The other new shows announced this week are even further ahead. If you’re planning a theatre trip for next year, you can choose between Singin’ In The Rain at the Palace Theatre, starring Adam Cooper and Scarlett Strallen from February (a transfer of the Chichester Festival Theatre hit); or She Stoops To Conquer at the National Theatre starring Sophie Thompson, Steve Pemberton and Katherine Kelly from January.

And reaching even further into the crystal ball of theatrical future, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has announced its plans for 2012. It’ll stage A Midsummer Night’s Dream and contemporary musical Ragtime from May to September next year. Book before the end of April 2012, and you’ll get a special ticket price of £20.12 on all performances during the Games themselves (25 July to 12 August).

This week’s casting news:

More next week…

16 Jun
2011

Thursday Theatre News: Tonys, Birthdays, Extensions and Casting News

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Firstly a big congratulations to the London-born shows who won Tony Awards on the other side of the pond this week. The National Theatre’s First World War drama War Horse won an impressive five awards including the coveted Best Play accolade. And Mark Rylance won Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, which is a good thing too, because I’d be worried if anyone out there had managed to outdo his memorable performance in Jerusalem.

Second, a note for any Shakespeare fans out there. Theatre company Antic Disposition is planning to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the first performance of The Tempest in London this August. And they’re staging it at London’s Middle Temple Hall, an Elizabethan venue where Shakespeare’s own company once performed. What a treat.

The Royal Court has announced two extensions this week. Both current hit Chicken Soup With Barley, and forthcoming black comedy The Village Bike, have added dates to their runs.

Now to this week’s casting news:

See you at West End Live!

30 Dec
2010

Five New London Theatre Shows to Look Forward to in 2011

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With the incredible variety of theatre shows available each and every year in London, it’s pretty near impossible to select just five to get excited about for 2011! So I’ve gone for five big shows with big star names for this year’s recommendations.

Autograph books ready: London’s stages are going to be even more star-studded than usual in the coming year!

  • The Children’s Hour, from 22 Jan
    Keira Knightley returns to the West End alongside Elisabeth Moss from Mad Men (making her West End debut) in a stunning 1930s drama about the power of lies.
  • Frankenstein, from 5 Feb
    The National Theatre welcomes BOTH Benedict Cumberbatch AND Jonny Lee Miller (swoon!), directed by Danny Boyle in a trio of big-name talent. This has to be my pick of the spring plays in London…
  • Blithe Spirit, from 2 Mar
    With Alison Steadman, Hermione Norris, Robert Bathhurst and Ruthie Henshall, this Noel Coward comedy at the Apollo is dripping with stars.
  • Richard III, from 29 Jun
    Artistic director Kevin Spacey takes to the Old Vic stage this summer as Shakespeare’s nastiest villain, Richard III. It’s part of the Bridge Project for 2011, and is directed by acclaimed American Beauty director Sam Mendes. And we can’t wait
  • Hamlet, winter 2011
    With no more details than that, Michael Sheen fans are going to have keep their ears to the ground around the Young Vic for more news of when this fantastic actor is going to take on Shakespeare’s finest role, with top director Jez Butterworth at the helm. Excited doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about this show…

Which theatre shows are you looking forward to in 2011? Let us know in the comments below.

30 Sep
2010

Your Views: Design For Living at The Old Vic

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Noel Coward’s 1932 play Design For Living was initially banned in the UK until 1939 because its risque subject matter was thought unacceptable to the official censor.

The provocative play has now returned to London for the first time in 15 years, to the Old Vic Theatre.

Design for Living’s racy plot centres on a love triangle between interior designer Gilda (Lisa Dillon), playwright Leo (Andrew Scott), and artist Otto (Tom Burke).

We asked what some audience members thought of the show.

Jess, 29, Herne Hill
This is a fabulous play – I enjoyed it immensely. I’ve never seen a Noel Coward play before and I thought the script was superb – but because it was brought alive and injected with a wonderful humour by three such strong leading actors. I thought Lisa Dillon made a charming Gilda – it was a real pleasure to watch her. And I just loved the scene when Otto and Leo got drunk – it was so well executed and achingly funny. Despite the comic lines, I believed in the characters and their love triangle scenario. The play had a very sweet ending and was an absolute tonic.

Linnie, 34, Croydon
I would describe it as a perfectly cast Coward that sparkled darkly – it was delightful and deliciously naughty.

Marlon, 26, Seven Sisters
I was blown away by Design for Living. The dialogue was superbly sharp, the sets were fantastic and the storyline really impressed me. And it was so refreshing not to have the typical “Hollywood ending”. Five stars!

Abby, 30, Tower Bridge
Thought the play was very entertaining and funny, though I thought some of the scenes were heading into the farcical (shouting scene at the end). Overall a thoroughly entertaining evening.

Nic, 31, Bethnal Green
Best thing I’ve seen in a long time, wonderful acting and just hilarious! Gave it a standing ovation.

Ricci, 29, Herne Hill
Great script, delivered supremely. Gripping from the start. The glamorous costumes and sets transported us back to another age. And yet the play’s content – and all the issues and emotions the characters have to deal with – still have relevance today. I loved it!

Barry, 45, South Woodford
Although the storyline is very thin the brilliant acting more than makes up for it. Tom Burke and Andrew Scott are like a well-oiled machine. They bounce off of each other like they have been doing the play for years. The drunken scene towards the end of act two is excellent. Lisa Dillon is also brilliant and is on stage for most of the production. The set is also very good and far more than you normally see in a play. The play lasts for 3 hours including two intervals, but you will be laughing for large parts of that.

Design for Living is on at the Old Vic until 27 November. Get your Design for Living Tickets here. Have you seen the show? Add your views to the mix in the comments below.

26 Aug
2010

Thursday Theatre News: Theatre Souk, Sir Anthony Sher, Kevin Spacey and Sam Mendes

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Something a little different for September: Theatre Souk is going to make you think about money: how you get it, how you spend it, what it means, and how a new artistic economy might work.

Located in the former offices of the Uzbekistan Airways, just off Oxford Street, Theatre Souk offers interactive theatre performances to challenge and entertain you: some are one-to-one shows, others feature puppets, and there are 20 in all. Or you can just relax in the cabaret bar. Theatre Souk is presented by the fabulous TheatreDelicatessen, well known for exploring text-based theatre, and creating interesting immersive performances with ensemble casts.

So, on to this week’s cast news. Rising star Harry Treadaway returns to the Royal Court in October, in Nina Raine’s second play Tribes. Harry plays Daniel, a boy suffering in an argumentative, unconventional family, with a deaf brother. Last seen in the West End winning critical acclaim for his performance in Ibsen’s Ghosts, Harry has been at the Royal Court before too: starring opposite his twin brother Luke in Mark Ravenhill’s Over There.

From rising stars to big hitters: Sir Antony Sher’s returning to the London stage next month in Arthur Miller’s Broken Glass at the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn. Sir Antony will play Philip Gellburg in Miller’s story of a Jewish couple living in 1938 New York;  the same time Kristallnacht occurs in Nazi Germany. The events in Germany have a profound effect on the couple…  Antony stars alongside Nigel Lindsay and Lucy Cohu.

And finally, Kevin Spacey is reuniting with American Beauty director Sam Mendes to play Richard III at the Old Vic in 2012. It’ll be the third and final instalment of The Bridge Project, so will also be performed in New York’s Brooklyn Academy of Music. Let’s not forget last time these two worked together they both won academy awards… Never mind the Olympics Opening Ceremony, here’s a really hot ticket for 2012!

Sam Mendes, who used to be Artistic Director at the Donmar, and whose film work includes Revolutionary Road and Road To Perdition, said, “I am absolutely delighted to be working with Kevin again for the first time since American Beauty, and I am doubly thrilled that he will be leading year three of The Bridge Project. Richard III is a play I love, and a role I think Kevin is born to play.”

Exciting stuff.

29 Jul
2010

Thursday Theatre News: Legally Blonde, Bedlam, Oscar Wilde, and More Kids Week

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First of all, I’m thrilled to tell you the original London cast of Legally Blonde are releasing a recording of the musical. Yes, you have to wait until 16 August, but just imagine how much fun it’s going to be singing along to Sheridan, Duncan, Jill et al once it’s out!

Secondly, there’s a lot of excitement in my household over the news that Complicite’s A Disappearing Number is coming back to London. Book now to see the production’s original cast at the Novello Theatre for a limited run between 10 and 25 September.

Casting news this week includes

And finally for this week, Kids Week is going to have to rethink its name, following a hugely successful promotion in 2010. The project, which offers one free child’s ticket (aged 5 to 16) with every full paying adult for a whole load of London’s most popular shows, has now extended into a THIRD week. It’ll now run from 13 August to 3 September. Apparantly, they’ve sold more than 40,000 tickets for performances during its original fortnight (13 to 27 August) since booking opened on 13 July. Incredible!

More information about Kids Week, including travel, accommodation and restaurants, can be found at www.kidsweek.co.uk.

15 Jul
2010

Thursday Theatre News: Avenue Q, Priscilla, Bells Are Ringing & the Old Vic’s New Season

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I’ll start with the sad news: it turns out Avenue Q really is “only for now” as its final song suggests.

The hilarious West End musical has posted closing notices this week: the final performance will be on 30 October. Having seen the show three times, I guess I’ll have to be content with continuing to snigger at the soundtrack on my commute to work.

In other news, Alf from Home and Away, sorry, Ray Meagher is going to star in Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical from 30 September. Ray’s playing mechanic Bob in the London production at the Palace Theatre, a role he first played in 2007 in Sydney.

And finally for musicals this week, Anna-Jane Casey is to lead the cast of Bells Are Ringing at the Union Theatre this autumn. Casey  is currently starring in the fantastic Comedy of Errors at the Open Air Theatre. From 29 September, she’ll play Ella Peterson in a rare revival of this Broadway musical, scored by Jule Styne (Gypsy, Funny Girl) with a book by Betty Comden and Adolph Green (Singin’ in the Rain, On the Town).

Last but not least for this week, I’ve got news of the Old Vic’s new season. Highlights include:

  • Noël Coward’s unconventional rom-com Design For Living (3 Sep-27 Nov), starring Tom Burke, Andrew Scott, and Lisa Dillon
  • Feydeau’s A Flea In Her Ear (4 Dec to 5 Mar), a comedy of misunderstandings with the lovely Tom Hollander and Lisa Dillon again, directed by Richard Eyre
  • Cause Célèbre by Terence Rattigan (17 Mar to 11 Jun), directed by Thea Sharrock, who also directed Rattigan’s After The Dance, currently playing at the National

Artistic director Kevin Spacey says:

“These are three great plays that all rather brilliantly explore the attitudes of their time and offer wonderful roles to actors. I am delighted to welcome Lisa Dillon, such a compelling and exciting young actress, to our stage in two productions, alongside Tom Burke, whose work I’ve admired since we acted together in the movie Telstar, and Tom Hollander, one of the finest and funniest leading actors of his generation. We are also delighted to be part of the centenary celebrations for Terence Rattigan and I can’t wait to see Thea Sharrock translate his work to the stage.”

Read the full quote on the SOLT website.

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