Harold Pinter News

Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Neal Street Productions and Kevin McCormick today announced that Olivier and Tony Award®-winning actor Douglas Hodge will play Willy Wonka in Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 25th June next year.

Julian Sands, best known for his performances in 'Room With a View' and 'The Killing Fields,' and most recently seen on screen in the blockbuster film 'Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,' is set to make his New York City stage debut in A CELEBRATION OF HAROLD PINTER, with performances beginning Wednesday, October 10 at Irish Repertory Theatre's W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre (132 West 22nd Street). With personal anecdotes and reflections drawn from their work together, Julian Sands combines Harold Pinter's poems and political prose to create a very fresh and intimate insight into the Nobel laureate's literary legacy.

Every age has had its stars who combine show business glitz and political passion, with Bono, Sean Penn, and Angelina Jolie among those carrying that mantle currently. But few, if any, have inhabited those two worlds as dramatically and comprehensively as David Rothenberg. Although never himself a 'star,' Rothenberg's multilayered life brought him contact with Broadway's brightest lights, as well as prison riots, political campaigns, civil rights sit-ins, and a Central American civil war. It all is recounted in his searing memoir, Fortune in My Eyes: A Memoir of Broadway Glamour, Social Justice, and Political Passion.

Janice Findley Productions conjures up the mesmerizing world of Caryl Churchill's The Skriker in a signature theatrical event of the Halloween season, October 19 through November 11 at the Erickson Theatre (1524 Harvard Ave., Seattle). Led by director Janice Findley, choreographer Pat Graney, and lead actor Mary Ewald, The Skriker features a superb company of Seattle artists and performers in a work that is equal parts stunning theatre, evocative dance, and jaw-dropping visual art.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company begins the new year with Harold Pinter's The Birthday Party, under the direction of ensemble member Austin Pendleton. The Birthday Party features ensemble members Ian Barford, Francis Guinan, Moira Harris and John Mahoney with Sophia Sinise (one actor is still to be announced). The Birthday Party begins previews January 24 (Opening night is February 3, 2013; Press performances are February 2 at 3pm and February 5 at 7:30pm) and runs through May 19 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 - $78) go on sale November 16 at 11am (prices are subject to change).

Anthony Shaffer's Sleuth, will be on stage at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse for three weeks only from tonight, October 3rd through October 21st. Described as 'a top-class thriller whose plot twists and turns are breathtakingly audacious and fiendishly cunning, Sleuth is in one of the cleverest thrillers ever imagined.'

The world premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's new play continues at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough until 13 October. In the video below, Ayckbourn chats about the new show!

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) has announced grand reopening of its main stage Linda Gross Theater following a historic $8.3 million renovation of the landmark theater housed in a nineteenth century church in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood.

The REP, Point Park University's professional theatre company, presents a chilling rendition of Rope by Patrick Hamilton at the Pittsburgh Playhouse tonight, Sept. 28 - Oct. 14; guest artist Elmore James directs.

The Yale Center for British Art has announced that acclaimed British actor Julian Sands will perform in A Celebration of Harold Pinter tonight, September 27 at 6 pm.

David Eden Productions previously announced details of a major US tour of the American premiere engagement of the Theatre de la Ville-Paris production of Rhinoceros, by Eugene Ionesco, directed by Emmanuel Demarcy-Mota, continuing in Berkeley at Cal Performances on September 27, 28, and 29 (matinee), and in Ann Arbor at University Musical Society (UMS) on October 11, 12, and 13.

Off-Broadway's Irish Repertory Theatre launches its 25th Anniversary Season with Brian Friel's THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY - with previews set to begin October 3, prior to an official press opening October 14 on the Irish Repertory's Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage (132 West 22nd Street). Performances are set to run through November 25. Ciaran O'Reilly directs.

Join Archipelago Books, Poets House, and the Romanian Cultural Institute for a night of poetry in honor of Nichita St?nescu - 'the greatest contemporary Romanian poet' (Tomaž Šalamun) - and Sean Cotter's remarkable translation of Wheel with a Single Spoke and Other Poems. With readings by actor Vasile Flutur and Sean Cotter, in conversation with Saviana St?nescu. Wine and cheese reception to follow.

The 7th Annual Women at Work Festival will feature solo shows and short plays by and/or about women, tonight, September 23 through October 7 at Stage Left Studio. Ten productions of new works, popular touring plays and visiting artists have been accepted into the festival line-up. Check out photos from some of the shows below!

David Eden Productions has announced initial details of a major US tour, presenting today, September 21 and September 22, 2012 the American premiere engagement of the Theatre de la Ville-Paris production of Rhinoceros, by Eugene Ionesco, directed by Emmanuel Demarcy-Mota, in Los Angeles at Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA (CAP UCLA), with subsequent presentations to follow in Berkeley at Cal Performances on September 27, 28, and 29 (matinee), and in Ann Arbor at University Musical Society (UMS) on October 11, 12, and 13.

Houston's Theatre Community offers something for everyone-ranging from the very modern and experimental to the classics. Next week, on September 26, 2012 Classical Theatre Company will be opening MISS JULIE at their new home, Studio 101 in the Spring Street Studios. Director of MISS JULIE, Julia Traber and I recently chatted about the show, Studio 101, August Strindberg's legacy, and the impact of arts on politics.

CONFESSIONS AND CONVERSATION-the newest work by the celebrated playwright, performer and longtime La MaMa artist Jean-Claude van Itallie -- will debut at La MaMa's Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St. in Manhattan) for four performances only tonight, September 20 to September 23.