After the Dance- Benedict Cumberbatch on Broadway

[Katurian2]

Posted: 5/6/11 at 6:10pm

Backstage now lists 'After the Dance' on their 'in development section,' saying:

"NEW After the Dance, a revival of Terence Rattigan's 1939 play about dissolute young men about to be shaken up by World War II. The New York Post reports that a 2009 National Theatre production will transfer from London to Broadway, with Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead. Target opening: fall 2011."

Anyone else freaking that we might probably be getting a chance to see this beautiful play on Broadway so soon, and with an even more beautiful leading man? I for one have no issue with pilfering the uber-talented Benedict Cumberbatch away from England for a while. Or forever. Actually, let's steal his passport so he can never leave.

That being said, I think it's an interesting choice for Broadway. I know there's a few devoted Benedict Cumberbatch fans over here, but he's not like Samuel L. Jackson or Al Pacino. Hopefully the draw will be the quality of the show, and BC's acting though, neither of which I have ever been let down by.

Updated On: 5/6/11 at 06:10 PM

[MariusPontmercy]

Posted: 5/6/11 at 6:59pm

Interested to see how this does in New York. It's very quaintly English in a way, all about the emotional repression of the upper classes. Parts of it do seem a little stilted now, especially the dialogue, but the relationships between the central characters are so beautifully and truthfully written that that didn't matter for me.

Cumberbatch was superb in the NT production (THAT VOICE!), but for me the most memorable performances came from Nancy Carroll and Adrian Scarborough (as Joan and John), and I hope they get the chance to play their roles on Broadway as well.

John Heffernan also very good as Peter, but not irreplacably so - which is just as well 'cos you definitely can't have him.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 5/6/11 at 7:25pm

Hah- Yeah, I know the phrase 'he could read the phone book and I would be interested' is overused, but with Cumberbatch, it is so completely true. His voice is like if Jeremy Irons & Alan Rickmans' voices were bound together and soaked in chocolate.........

ANYWAY, I'd hope that Carroll and Scarborough would transfer as well, especially since the both of them won Olivier awards for their parts. It's fantastic to hear a good report about the show from someone who saw it though!

I do think it's a brave choice in America, but between The King's Speech, the Royal Wedding-hoopla and the success of War Horse over here, I think we've shown we can understand, or at least appreciate a bit of British culture!

[Weez]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 5:25am

I'm not gonna lie, I will scream and stamp my feet and weep in bitter envy if you get this production *and* Nancy Carroll *and* Adrian Scarborough. It was insanely wonderful and remains the utmost highlight of 2010 for me.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 6:01am

"I'm not gonna lie, I will scream and stamp my feet and weep in bitter envy if you get this production"

Well, I'm going to play against national sterotypes as exampled by Weez' understatement and say I thought this was excellent.

[Weez]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 6:40am

Sir, surely you jest. "Excellent" is not strong enough a word for the majesty of this production!

[Scripps2]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 7:46am

I do jest Darling. So, smile again and pour me another G&T.

Seriously - Adrian Scarborough will surely still be in Betty Blue Eyes if this is scheduled for the Autumn.

[Will42]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 8:01am

Benedict Cumberbatch is such a talented, charismatic, and intelligent actor. Not to mention his voice, that could make Jon Hamm feel jealous. I hope he'll become a big star, since he really deserves it.

[MariusPontmercy]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 9:09am

"A voice like a jaguar hiding in a cello" is how one British journalist described it - the phrase makes no sense at all, but if you've heard him you'll know exactly what it means.

Scripps: There was an interview with Adrian Scarborough recently that said he was leaving Betty Blue Eyes to do more Upstairs Downstairs later this year, and that he was heading to Broadway *next* year with After the Dance. That was the journalist writing rather than a direct quote, though, so could be wrong.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 10:38am

Oh my, that is the PERFECT description of his voice. I'm appropriating that myself from now on whenever people ask me why his reading of 'Ode to a Nightingale' is on the top of my iTunes 'Most Played' list.

I'm all for hoping the best with accurate reporting, but I really hope that journalist has a misquote! If only we could be so lucky as to have an import of this with the full original cast members. Is it too early to start putting it on my 'Best list' for next season?

Updated On: 5/7/11 at 10:38 AM

[mallardo]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 1:04pm

Yes, yes, After the Dance was wonderful but no one mentions the delicious Faye Castelow, so excellent as the "other woman".

One of the problems it may have on Broadway is that it plays in three acts and kind of needs to. Will they change that for Broadway, I wonder?

[Katurian2]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 1:30pm

I wouldn't see why they would need to. Yes, Broadway audiences are generally more hungry for the fast & easy, but there have been several three act plays I can think of in recent years. 'August: Osage County' and of course, most recently off-Broadway 'Angels in America,' being two that pop out most quickly when I think on it. It would be a shame if they cut material!

[MCfan2]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 2:33pm

As long as it doesn't interfere with the filming of "Sherlock," I'm good with it! I don't really know what their filming schedule is like, but it probably helps that they only do a few at a time.

On another note, I saw Cumberbatch play Frankenstein's Creature via video a few weeks ago, and was blown away.
Updated On: 5/7/11 at 02:33 PM

[Katurian2]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 3:10pm

'Sherlock' starts filming in exactly one week, with table reads starting shortly now. So, a fall trip to Broadway absolutely wouldn't interfere with any sort of production on Benedict's part. Filming is actually very succinct this season around, since Martin Freeman also has to be returned to New Zealand to continue on 'The Hobbit' afterwards!

[vegas2]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 3:58pm

I saw the NT production and found the play rather dull and plodding. When the lights came up for the first intermission I was surprised, because it seemed like nothing had even happened yet. The remaining two acts were better, but still forgettable. However, the cast was excellent. I was not previously familiar with Adrian Scarborough, but his performance turned me into a huge fan. It would be great to have him on Broadway.