Marianka Swain - Page 19

David Mamet's new play Bitter Wheat is playing at the Garrick Theatre in London, with a press night tonight, Wednesday 19 June. John Malkovich returns to the West End stage for the first time in nearly 30 years for this world premiere, taking on the role of Barney Fein, a top dog Hollywood producer reminiscent of Harvey Weinstein. Let's see what the critics had to say!

Tony Award-winning Laura Benanti's work includes She Loves Me, Gypsy, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, and, currently, playing her dream role: Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. This month, she also makes her London theatre debut with a concert at Cadogan Hall.

Amy Ellen Richardson's past work includes Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, Merrily We Roll Along, Les Miserables, and most recently Sweet Charity at Donmar Warehouse. She's now starring in the West End transfer of the hit British musical based on Sue Townsend's beloved Adrian Mole books.

Doon Mackichan's previous work includes iconic TV series Smack the Pony and shows like Jumpy at the Royal Court. She's currently starring in David Mamet's new play Bitter Wheat at the Garrick Theatre, which features John Malkovich as a Harvey Weinstein-esque Hollywood mogul.

A decade after originating the lead role Off Broadway, Matthew Broderick returns to Kenneth Lonergan's play to make his West End debut. His devotion to the material is certainly understandable, as the part is tailor-made for his signature brand of self-effacing deadpan - a placid mask covering existential angst.

Hollywood star and multiple Tony Award-winning Broadway legend Matthew Broderick - renowned for roles including Ferris Bueller in the iconic movie and Leo Bloom in The Producers - tonight made his West End debut at the Wyndham's Theatre in The Starry Messenger by Kenneth Lonergan, the Academy Award-winning writer of Manchester-By-The-Sea. 

Rain gushes down the front of the Lyttelton stage, a pitiless wall of water trapping and framing the Rutherfords - a clan very much defined by their environment. It's an arresting image to open Polly Findlay's sure revival of Githa Sowerby's 1912 drama, inspired by Sowerby's own family's dealings in Tyneside glass manufacturing.

Continuing our London Theatre Guides series, we're celebrating half-term by highlighting some of the capital's most welcome and exciting venues for younger audiences.

Actor, playwright and cabaret entertainer Charles Busch's work includes Die Mommie Die, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, Psycho Beach Party and The Tale of the Allergist's Wife. He's returning to London's Live at Zedel in June with his new show Native New Yorker.

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a drama about Europe to immersive Shakespeare and open-air opera, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews, interviews and features!

The audience plays surveillance state in this pioneering collaboration between playwright Ella Hickson and sound designers Ben and Max Ringham. We experience the action through individual sets of headphones, corresponding to a hidden mic on our protagonist Anna - listening in to her every exchange and private moment.

Canadian actor and singer Tim Howar's past work includes Les Miserables, The Who's Tommy, Chess, and the 10th Anniversary production of Rent. He's also in the band Mike + The Mechanics. Currently, he's tackling one of the most iconic roles in musical theatre: playing the Phantom in the West End production.

Seventy years on from its Broadway opening, Marianne Elliott and Miranda Cromwell present Arthur Miller's masterpiece afresh in an inspired, shattering revival. One key change - making the 1940s Loman family African-American - gives the play a whole new texture, while retaining its searing condemnation of the American Dream's false promises.

As politicians and pundits dissect the local election results, Duncan Macmillan serves up a blistering new adaptation of an 1886 work that feels eerily like a 2019 commentary. Move over, James Graham - it turns out Ibsen has supplied the political play for today.

The 2004 prize-winning novel by Andrea Levy, who sadly passed away earlier this year, has been beautifully translated to stage by adaptor Helen Edmundson and NT head honcho Rufus Norris, using thrilling theatrical solutions to honour Levy's epic - and still urgent - tale.

London's latest foray into Arthur Miller has serious transatlantic star power, with its leading quartet of Bill Pullman, two-time Oscar-winner Sally Field, Colin Morgan and Jenna Coleman. However, Jeremy Herrin's Old Vic/Headlong co-production is surprisingly understated, with the play's politics, rather than its passions, really shining through.

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From timely plays to the beginning of open-air theatre season, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews, interviews and features!

Director Rebecca Frecknall and actress Patsy Ferran recently picked up deserved Olivier Awards for their revelatory revival of Summer and Smoke. Now, they're back at the Almeida, bringing that fresh approach to well-known Chekhov instead of obscure Tennessee Williams.

Matthew Bourne's legendary and award-winning production of Swan Lake, which has returned to UK stages with a fresh look for the 21st century, will be screened in cinemas nationwide on 21 May. Watch an exclusive sneak peek below!

Caryl Churchill's ground-breaking 1982 work comes to the National for the first time - and, also a first, with a full cast rather than actors doubling up, as the playwright had originally intended. It adds to the expansive feel of Lyndsey Turner's production, particularly effective in the play's still audacious opening.