La Bete Revival 2010

Run Time:
1 hour and 45 minutes, with no intermission
Opened: October 14, 2010
Closing: January 09, 2011

La Bete - 2010 - Broadway History , Info & More

American playwright David Hirson's rollicking 1991 play, LA BÊTE, is a comic tour de force about Elomire (David Hyde Pierce), a high-minded classical dramatist who loves only the theater, and Valere (Mark Rylance), a low-brow street clown who loves only himself. When the fickle princess (Joanna Lumley) decides she's grown weary of Elomire’s royal theatre troupe, he and Valere are left fighting for survival as art squares off with ego in a literary showdown for the ages.

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR La Bete

La Bête
8 / 10

Mark Rylance's turn as boorish, babbling Valere—available for your delectation in La Bête—ought not to work. This eccentric performance is compounded of broad prop acting, lowbrow sight gags (spitting food, wiping ass), redundant flourishes (recalling molestation as a boy, he steals a kiss from David Hyde Pierce) and alternating deadpan delivery with overwrought affectation. You could argue that such outré tics and the overall stylized tactic are true to Rylance's character and to the bouffon spirit of David Hirson's 1991 verse comedy, a critical homage to Molière. And you’d be right. But that doesn't diminish the fact that this daredevil actor rides the line between brilliance and awfulness—usually coming down on the side of genius.

'Bête' a tour de force for a gross Mark Rylance
8 / 10

Absolutes are hazardous to the credibility, but here goes. I'm betting Broadway has never seen a greater portrayal of obnoxious grossing-out than the one Mark Rylance is splattering all over 'La Bête.'

LA BETE Ends Broadway Run Today
by Robert Diamond - January 9, 2011


The acclaimed Broadway revival of David Hirson's Olivier Award-winning comedy LA BÊTE starring Tony and Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance, Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce, and BAFTA Award winner (and star of 'Absolutely Fabulous') Joanna Lumley will play through Sunday, January 9th, 2011 at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street), capping off a limited 16-week Broadway engagement.

LA BETE to Shutter Early on Jan. 9, 2011
by Jessica Lewis - November 15, 2010


The acclaimed Broadway revival of David Hirson's Olivier Award-winning comedy LA BÊTE starring Tony and Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance, Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce, and BAFTA Award winner (and star of 'Absolutely Fabulous') Joanna Lumley will play through Sunday, January 9th, 2011 at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street), capping off a limited 16-week Broadway engagement. LA BÊTE began previews on Broadway on September 23rd and officially opened October 14th. The Broadway run immediately follows a critically and commercially successful engagement at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End. LA BÊTE will have played a total of 23 preview performances and 101 regular performances on Broadway.

BROADWAY TALKS Series Continues With David Hyde Pierce 10/24
by BWW News Desk - October 24, 2010


92nd Street Y has announced that Jordan Roth, President of Jujamcyn Theaters, continues his multi-evening 92nd Street Y conversation series, "Broadway Talks," with Tony Award-winning and Emmy Award-winning actor David Hyde Pierce.

Ken Fallin Illustrates: LA BETE!
by Ken Fallin - October 22, 2010


BroadwayWorld.com is pleased to present illustrator Ken Fallin, who brings you original illustrations of everyone's favorite theatrical stars each week. This week's feature: David Hyde Pierce, Mark Rylance and Joanna Lumley in LA BETE!

BWW TV: Broadway Beat Goes Inside LA BETE's Opening Night!
by Jessica Lewis - October 19, 2010


The first major revival of David Hirson's Olivier Award-winning comedy LA BÊTE starring Tony and Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance, Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce, and BAFTA Award winner (and star of 'Absolutely Fabulous') Joanna Lumley began previews at Broadway's Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street) on September 23, 2010. This new production, helmed by acclaimed director Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage, Boeing-Boeing, The Norman Conquests), opened on Broadway, October 14. This immediately follows a limited summer engagement at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End from June 26-September 4, 2010 with opening night of July 7. Broadway Beat was on hand for the opening night party and spoke with show's stars and creative team. Click below to go inside LA Bete's opening night.

Photo Coverage: LA BETE Opening Night Arrivals
by Walter McBride - October 15, 2010


The first major revival of David Hirson's Olivier Award-winning comedy LA BÊTE starring Tony and Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance, Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce, and BAFTA Award winner (and star of 'Absolutely Fabulous') Joanna Lumley began previews at Broadway's Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street) on September 23, 2010. This new production, helmed by acclaimed director Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage, Boeing-Boeing, The Norman Conquests), opened last night, October 14. This immediately follows a limited summer engagement at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End from June 26-September 4, 2010 with opening night of July 7. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the opening night arrivals and brings you photo coverage below.

Photo Coverage: LA BETE Opening Night After Party
by Walter McBride - October 15, 2010


The first major revival of David Hirson's Olivier Award-winning comedy LA BÊTE starring Tony and Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance, Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce, and BAFTA Award winner (and star of 'Absolutely Fabulous') Joanna Lumley began previews at Broadway's Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street) on September 23, 2010. This new production, helmed by acclaimed director Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage, Boeing-Boeing, The Norman Conquests), opened last night, October 14. This immediately follows a limited summer engagement at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End from June 26-September 4, 2010 with opening night of July 7.

Photo Coverage: LA BETE Opening Night Curtain Call!
by Walter McBride - October 15, 2010


The first major revival of David Hirson's Olivier Award-winning comedy LA BÊTE starring Tony and Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance, Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce, and BAFTA Award winner (and star of 'Absolutely Fabulous') Joanna Lumley began previews at Broadway's Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street) on September 23, 2010. This new production, helmed by acclaimed director Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage, Boeing-Boeing, The Norman Conquests), opened last night, October 14. This immediately follows a limited summer engagement at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End from June 26-September 4, 2010 with opening night of July 7.

Review Roundup: LA BETE
by Robert Diamond - October 14, 2010


American playwright David Hirson's rollicking 1991 play, LA BÊTE, is a comic tour de force about Elomire (David Hyde Pierce), a high-minded classical dramatist who loves only the theater, and Valere (Mark Rylance), a low-brow street clown who loves only himself. When the fickle princess (Joanna Lumley) decides she's grown weary of Elomire's royal theatre troupe, he and Valere are left fighting for survival as art squares off with ego in a literary showdown for the ages.

BWW TV: LA BETE on Broadway - Preview!
by Jessica Lewis - October 14, 2010


The first major revival of David Hirson's Olivier Award-winning comedy LA BÊTE starring Tony and Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance, Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce, and BAFTA Award winner (and star of 'Absolutely Fabulous') Joanna Lumley began previews at Broadway's Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street) on September 23, 2010. This new production, helmed by acclaimed director Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage, Boeing-Boeing, The Norman Conquests), will officially open tonight, October 14. This immediately follows a limited summer engagement at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End from June 26-September 4, 2010 with opening night of July 7. Click below for a video preview of LA BETE!

Photo Flash: LA BETE on Broadway!
by Jessica Lewis - October 11, 2010


The first major revival of David Hirson's Olivier Award-winning comedy LA BÊTE starring Tony and Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance, Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce, and BAFTA Award winner (and star of 'Absolutely Fabulous') Joanna Lumley began previews at Broadway's Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street) on September 23, 2010. This new production, helmed by acclaimed director Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage, Boeing-Boeing, The Norman Conquests), will officially open October 14, 2010. This immediately follows a limited summer engagement at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End from June 26-September 4, 2010 with opening night of July 7. The first Broadway production shots have been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a look below.

BROADWAY TALKS Series Continues With David Hyde Pierce 10/24
by Gabrielle Sierra - October 11, 2010


92nd Street Y has announced that Jordan Roth, President of Jujamcyn Theaters, continues his multi-evening 92nd Street Y conversation series, "Broadway Talks," with Tony Award-winning and Emmy Award-winning actor David Hyde Pierce.

PEE-WEE, LA BETE And More Set For THEATER TALK's New Season Begins 10/15
by Gabrielle Sierra - October 8, 2010


THEATER TALK, the lively TV series devoted to the world of the stage - hosted by Michael Riedel, Broadway columnist for the New York Post, and series producer Susan Haskins - returns for its 18th New York television season with a preview of Broadway's most anticipated fall shows on Friday, October 15 (2010) at 12:30 a.m. on Thirteen.

UP ON THE MARQUEE: LA BETE!
by Walter McBride - September 27, 2010


The first major revival of David Hirson's Olivier Award-winning comedy LA BÊTE starring Tony and Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance, Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce, and BAFTA Award winner (and star of 'Absolutely Fabulous') Joanna Lumley began previews at Broadway's Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street) on September 23, 2010. This new production, helmed by acclaimed director Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage, Boeing-Boeing, The Norman Conquests), will officially open October 14, 2010. This immediately follows a limited summer engagement at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End from June 26-September 4, 2010 with opening night set for July 7. BroadwayWorld brings you a look at the marquee below!

LA BETE Begins Previews Tonight, 9/23
by Jessica Lewis - September 23, 2010


The first major revival of David Hirson's Olivier Award-winning comedy LA BÊTE starring Tony and Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance, Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce, and BAFTA Award winner (and star of 'Absolutely Fabulous') Joanna Lumley play Broadway's Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street) beginning tonight, September 23, 2010. This new production, helmed by acclaimed Tony Award-winning director Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage, Boeing-Boeing, The Norman Conquests), will officially open October 14, 2010. This immediately follows a critically-acclaimed limited summer engagement at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End from June 26-September 4, 2010.

LA BÊTE Arrives on Broadway Tomorrow At Music Box Theatre
by Gabrielle Sierra - September 22, 2010


The first major revival of David Hirson's Olivier Award-winning comedy LA BÊTE starring Tony and Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance, Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce, and BAFTA Award winner (and star of "Absolutely Fabulous") Joanna Lumley will begin previews tomorrow, Thursday, September 23rd at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street) following an engagement at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End.

BWW TV Preview: LA BETE!
by Robert Diamond - August 30, 2010


The first major revival of David Hirson's Olivier Award-winning comedy LA BÊTE starring Tony and Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance, Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce, and BAFTA Award winner (and star of 'Absolutely Fabulous') Joanna Lumley will play Broadway's Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street) beginning September 23, 2010. This new production, helmed by acclaimed Tony Award-winning director Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage, Boeing-Boeing, The Norman Conquests), will officially open October 14, 2010. This immediately follows a critically-acclaimed limited summer engagement at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End from June 26-September 4, 2010.

Mark Rylance Talks Acting and LA BETE
by Lauren Wolman - July 4, 2010


In a recent article by the Independent, Mark Rylance spoke about what acting means to him, and how he's been so successful at it.

LE BETE to Play Broadway's Music Box Theatre; Opens 10/14
by Jessica Lewis - May 24, 2010


The first major revival of David Hirson's Olivier Award-winning comedy LA BÊTE starring Tony and Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance, Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce, and BAFTA Award winner (and star of 'Absolutely Fabulous') Joanna Lumley will play Broadway's Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street) beginning September 23, 2010. This new production, helmed by acclaimed director Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage, Boeing-Boeing, The Norman Conquests), will officially open October 14, 2010. This immediately follows a limited summer engagement at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End from June 26-September 4, 2010 with opening night set for July 7.

La Bete FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of La Bete have there been?
La Bete has had 3 productions including Broadway which opened in 1991, West End which opened in 2010 and Broadway which opened in 2010.
What awards has La Bete been nominated for?
La Bete has been nominated for the Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for Mark Rylance.
What awards has La Bete won?
La Bete has won the Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for Mark Rylance.

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