London-Taxi-Cabs.com &#187; london theatre

+44 (0)7779 336 612

Keira Knightley makes West End debut

blog — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:03:55 +0000

Book a Taxi Online or phone Tel: +44 (0)7779 336 612

Keira Knightley has cancelled her close-ups in front of movie cameras for a while so she can make her stage debut in the West End in December.

Last night, the Oscar-nominated actress was said to be ‘terrified but excited’ about appearing in a modern-day version of Moliere’s 17th century masterpiece The Misanthrope, in which she will play a flirtatious Hollywood film star, joining an ensemble cast led by Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre actor Damian Lewis, who plays the title role.

Tara Fitzgerald and Dominic Rowan will also star. Rehearsals start the middle of next month, with preview performances at the Comedy Theatre from December 7 and an official opening night on December 17.

Debuting in December: Keira Knightley hits the West End stage for the first time in The Misanthrope

However, Keira’s preparations have already begun. She has been working with a voice coach and having singing lessons to help with voice projection.

The actress is a child of the theatre and, in a sense, has been preparing for this her whole life. ‘It’s in my blood,’ she told me once, reminding me that the first time we met it was backstage when she was a baby.

She was, indeed, ‘born in a trunk’, and would often accompany her parents - mother Sharman Macdonald is a playwright and father Will Knightley an actor (he’s currently about the only actor in Calendar Girls to keep his clothes on) – on theatre tours.

As Damian, her future leading man, noted: ‘She’s been surrounded by theatre all her life. ‘She also knows of the importance of being part of a company of actors.

‘It’s not the bloody Keira Knightley show,’ she joked to one friend. That point was underscored by director Thea Sharrock who, interestingly, directed Daniel Radcliffe in his revealing stage debut in Equus.

‘Keira’s right – it’s not the Keira Knightley show. She’s the leading lady because she has the biggest female role, but she’s not the lead part. This is Damian’s show.

It’s not the Keira show!’, says the actress, who has a small role

‘I signed up to work with Damian Lewis because it’s brilliant to get him back on stage. And along the way we happened to get Keira Knightley, which is fantastic and I’m very excited but, you know, it’s in that order.’

However, both Damian and Sharrock were clearly thrilled to be working with Keira because, however small her name is on the marquee, her star power will bring in punters.

When Sharrock met Keira, the director said she knew the actress was ready for the theatre.

‘It’s not a whim on her part,’ she told me. ‘She’s absolutely ready to come into this vulnerable position – and I’m interested in working with her, to push her in a way that I don’t think she has been pushed before because although she has worked with amazing directors, film doesn’t work like that.’

Sharrock pointed to Radcliffe’s growth as an actor after runs in Equus in London and New York, and how that richness is starting to show in his screen work.

The actors will work from a version of The Misanthrope shaped by Martin Crimp 15 years ago and first performed at the Young Vic with Ken Stott. Damian explained that it’s an entirely updated version of the play, originally written in 1666, where Moliere was venting his anger at the ‘insincerity and vacuousness and shallowness of society around him’. ‘

These are people who live to be seen at the latest play, to be wearing the latest fashion, to be generally complimenting and flattering anyone they see in order to further their way up the greasy social pole,’ he said.

Crimp has taken Moliere’s characters and turned them into a playwright (Damian’s character, Alceste), a critic, an agent, a journalist and others on the social whirl, plus an actress, known as Celimene in Moliere’s original but now called Jennifer (the role Keira will play).

‘Jennifer’s a young American starlet and everyone within the play is going: “Why on earth are you in love with her? She’s sh**ging everything that moves. ..”‘ Damian explained.

The actor observed that there has always been a need for ‘what’s current, what’s fashionable’. ‘It was true in 1666. It was true when Martin Crimp’s version was written 15 years ago and it’s true now,’ said Damian, who was speaking from the set of the movie Your Highness, which is shooting in Belfast.

Crimp is working with Sharrock on bringing his 1994 version bang up to date. Keira’s character, Jennifer, is a piece of work; a type I meet time and time again. But very different from Keira herself who, away from the limelight, is not a party girl at all and who, away from the red carpet, couldn’t give a fig about fashion.

‘She’s as normal as they come,’ Sharrock agreed. However, I’m fascinated by the fact that this is the second role Keira has taken that essays aspects of movie stardom.

In London Boulevard, a film she shot for director William Monahan opposite Colin Farrell, she plays a reclusive screen star, besieged by paparazzi, who gets involved with an ex-con. And now she opts to play a spoilt American starlet in The Misanthrope.

‘I love the fact that she’s attracted to the role and that she gets the humour of it. She gets that she’s a massive star about to play a massive star, and that’s ironic, that’s hilarious and she’s big enough to rise above that,’ Sharrock told me.

Keira and her partner Rupert Friend can rehearse at home together. As has been mentioned here before, Mr Friend makes his own stage debut in The Little Dog Laughed, which is opening at the Garrick in January.

Along with London Boulevard, Keira has two other movies due out next year. They are Never Let Me Go, based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel, and an American picture she shot in New York called Last Night.

She has also been in talks about starring in a new film version of the musical My Fair Lady, which Danny Boyle had hoped to direct, but he has withdrawn from the project. It won’t shoot now until 2011.

Tel: +44 (0)7779 336 612

The Phantom Of The Opera

blog — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:50:48 +0000

Book a Taxi Online or phone Tel: +44 (0)7779 336 612

Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber confirmed that he has greenlit pre-production on a sequel to the show, Phantom: Love Never Dies.

Based on the classic novel by Gaston Leroux, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA tells the story of a masked figure who lurks beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it. He falls madly in love with an innocent young soprano, Christine, and devotes himself to creating a new star by nurturing her extraordinary talents and by employing all of the devious methods at his command.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and is directed by Harold Prince. Lyrics are by Charles Hart (with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe) and the book is by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has production design by the late Maria Bjornson, lighting by Andrew Bridge and sound design by Mick Potterwith original sound by Martin Levan. Musical staging and choreography is by Gillian Lynne. Orchestrations are by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Tel: +44 (0)7779 336 612

Extra dates added for Calendar Girls

blog — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 10:10:15 +0000

Book a Taxi Online or phone +44 (0)7779 336 612

The current star cast of Calendar Girls has extended its run by two weeks, with the actresses, including Jerry Hall and June Brown, continuing to cover their modesty with a variety of WI-friendly props until 31 October.

The cast, which had originally been scheduled to play until 17 October, consists of Gemma Atkinson, Jill Baker, Brown, Richenda Carey, Sara Crowe, Anita Dobson, Jill Halfpenny, Hall and Jack Ryder.

Since opening in April of this year, Calendar Girls has reportedly broken all box office records for the Noël Coward theatre. With the £1.50 booking fee and a percentage of the merchandise sales and royalties also being donated to Leukaemia Research, the production has raised over £150,000 and has committed to continue to raise money for the charity as long as the show runs in the West End.

Calendar Girls was adapted by Tim Firth from his screenplay for the 2003 hit film starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters. Based on true events, the story centres on a group of WI members who, after the death of one of the group’s husbands, decide to raise money for Leukaemia Research by posing naked for their annual calendar. After the media hear of their story, the women are taken on an incredible journey from the Yorkshire peaks to the Hollywood hills as their friendships and loyalty are put to the test.

Tel: +44 (0)7779 336 612

The Shawshank Redemption taking to the West End Stage

blog — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:34:38 +0000

Book a Taxi Online or phone +44 (0)7779 336 612

There are a few classic films we have come to expect to be amid the top five of many men’s favourite features, among which often sit the usual array of titles – the merits of The Godfather, Scarface, Star Wars and The Matrix having often been discussed over pints and the flipping of burgers on BBQs (we don’t wish to gender-stereotype you understand!) But there is one movie, that isn’t in the vein of these ball-busting action flicks, yet still holds a special place in the hearts of fellas (and plenty of women) the world over, and that’s the weepy tale of brotherhood-bonding The Shawshank Redemption. And we here at Boxwish HQ are very excited to let you know of the stage version’s move from Dublin to our nation’s capital this month. Yes, the Wyndam Theatre in London’s West End premieres its five month run of the popular prison story beginning on September 13th, with limited previews from this Friday, September 4th.

The tale of justice and friendship was adapted from Stephen King’s novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption for the big screen in 1994 and starred the prolific portrayer of down-trodden martyrs Tim Robbins as wrongly convicted Andy Dufrense, alongside honey-voiced veteran Morgan Freeman as fellow-lifer Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding. The movie was a flop when it hit cinemas, but by the time it had reached our video shelves was winning critical acclaim and loyal fans everywhere. So perhaps it’s no surprise that the film favourite has moved to the footlights.

Written by die-hard lovers of the film, Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns and directed by Peter Sheridan, the story is definitely adhering to the recent trend of hit films-turned-shows such as One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the promised adaptation of Sleepless in Seattle and even Shrek and Spiderman. It seems as though film-fans these days are hungry to see their beloved movie plots played out on the boards.

The stars of the play, film and stage actor Kevin Anderson in the part of Andy and The Wire actor Reg E. Cathey portraying Red, are even lookalikes of the film’s stars and it seems writer-director Sheridan was careful to keep it that way. Referring to the film’s tweeking of the book’s original white-Irish Red, he explains: “It was an inspired piece of casting to make him black in the film – so why buck with the trend?” Even Stephen King has claimed the filmic adaptation of his tale has more “heart” than the literature.

So, will you be heading over to the bright lights of London to see the upcoming play? And what other movie milestones would you like to see at the theatre? After an overwhelming response of standing ovations since it started at Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre in May, we’re hoping for something pretty special.

Tel: +44 (0)7779 336 612

Victoria Wood to direct a new version of her comedy Talent

blog — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 13:53:21 +0000

Book a Taxi Online or phone +44 (0)7779 336 612

Comedian, writer and actress Victoria Wood is to direct a new version of her comedy talent at the Menier Chocolate Factory this autumn.

Co-produced with the Old Laundry Theatre, Bowness, it will run at the London Bridge venue from 17 September to 14 November (press night 23 September).

Originally premiered in 1978, Talent, a comedy with songs, is set on talent night at Bunter’s niteclub, where Julie and Maureen are waiting backstage. As they are plunged into a world of ukulele-wielding pensioners, crotch-grabbing compères and some long-buried personal history, the two friends have to decide how lucky they really want to be.

After its debut in Sheffield, Talent received a London transfer in 1979 when it was also adapted for television, the screen version bringing long-time collaborators Wood and Julie Walters together on TV for the first time.

Wood, who was launched on her entertainment career by winning New Faces in 1974, has won more BAFTAs for her writing and performing than anyone else in BAFTA history. Among her television work are programmes including Pat And Margaret, Dinnerladies and Housewife, 49. Her comic creation, Acorn Antiques, was adapted for the stage as a musical in 2005, when it played at the Theatre Roayl Haymarket directed by Trevor Nunn.

+44…

War Horse charges on in West End

blog — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:26:45 +0000

Book a Taxi Online or phone +44 (0)7779 336 612

The Lawrence Olivier Award winning National Theatre production of War Horse, which trotted over to the West End’s New London Theatre in March, has extended its booking period until February 2010.

The huge family hit released 150,000 new tickets today after an incredibly successful start to its West End tenure.

Nicholas Hytner, Director of the National Theatre, commented: “War Horse caught the imagination of audiences from its very first outing at the National, and I’m delighted that this astonishing production is engendering an equally heartfelt response from thousands of theatregoers in the West End.”

Based on Michael Morpurgo’s children’s novel, War Horse uses headline-grabbing puppets to tell the story of Joey, a horse raised by young Albert Narracott, who is sold to the cavalry at the onset of the First World War and shipped to France. Soon in the thick of the action, Joey finds himself fighting for both sides while Albert cannot forget his equine friend so embarks on a dangerous mission to bring him home.

The production, directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, premiered at the National Theatre in the winter of 2007. After winning two Laurence Olivier Awards, for Best Theatre Choreographer and Best Set Design, it was revived in 2008 as the ‘mane’ attraction of the Olivier Theatre’s winter season before cantering across to the West End.

Writer Morpurgo, who has made a cameo appearance in the production, added his congratulations, saying: “So, War Horse gallops on. I am so pleased for the National Theatre and for all those wonderful people concerned with this unique production and I am delighted that so many people want to be part of it.”

+44 (0)7779 336 612

Matt Lucas is to star in a West End play

blog — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:53:22 +0000

Book a Taxi Online or phone +44 (0)7779 336 612

Matt Lucas is to star in a West End play about the life of controversial playwright Joe Orton.

He will play Kenneth Halliwell, Orton’s lover and murderer, opposite stage actor Chris New.

The play is based on a biography of the same name, written by American theatre critic John Lahr, as well as the playwright’s own diaries.

It will preview in a handful of venues, including the Richmond Theatre, before transferring to London’s Comedy Theatre on September 17, ahead of the official opening night on September 30.

Prick Up Your Ears is set in 1962, when Halliwell and Orton, fresh out of RADA, plot their assault on London’s literary and theatrical scene.

Orton went on to writerthe plays The Ruffian On The Stair, Entertaining Mr Sloane, Loot and What The Butler Saw, as well as several novels, but in 1967 Halliwell battered him to death in the Norht London flat there shared before taking his own life.

Aside from the Little Britain stage tour, Lucas’s last stage role was as Leigh Bowery in Taboo seven years ago.

Prick Up Your Ears is booking at the Comedy until December 6.

+44…

John Barrowman to Return to the London Stage in La Cage aux Folles

blog — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:10:34 +0000

Book a Taxi Online or phone +44 (0)7779 336 612

British musical-theater star John Barrowman will “put a little more mascara on” and “hustle out his highest drag” when he steps into the West End revival of La Cage aux Folles on September 14. He’ll play Albin, a.k.a. Zaza, the headliner at the St. Tropez drag nightclub, through November 28 at the Playhouse Theatre.

Barrowman became a household name in Britain after creating the role of bisexual time-traveling ex-con Captain Jack Harkness in the BBC’s Doctor Who, which spawned the hit spinoff series Torchwood. He served as a judge alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber on such West End talent-search shows as I’d Do Anything, Any Dream Will Do and How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? Barrowman made his West End debut in 1989 opposite Elaine Paige in Anything Goes; he later played Joe Gillis to her Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, a role he repeated on Broadway. Other starring roles include Chris in Miss Saigon, the Beast in Beauty and the Beast and Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera. On Broadway, he appeared in Putting It Together.

The Terry Johnson-directed revival of La Cage—which features music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and a book by Harvey Fierstein—recently earned two 2009 Olivier Awards, including best musical revival and best actor for the original Albin, Douglas Hodge. The production currently stars Roger Allam as Albin and Phillip Quast (who, incidentally, starred with Barrowman in 1997’s The Fix at the Donmar Warehouse) as his lover Georges.

+44 (0)7779 336