West End Legends we want on Broadway

[Theatrefanboy1]

Any West End legends you want to see over here in New York? 

Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Emma Thompson, Imelda Stauton, Michael Caine, Ian McKellen, Helen Mirren (I know those two were here relatively recently), Judi Dench, Kate Winslet, Jim Broadbent top my list

[Jordan Catalano]

Yes to all of those. I also would give anything to see Anthony Hopkins on the stage. 

[Theatrefanboy1]

Oh and Rob James-Collier and Richard Fleeshman (even if its just to look at that bod  haha)

[Oak2]

Whoever the closest British/West End equivalent to Nathan Lane is.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Rob James-Collier and Richard Fleeshman

^ I don't think they qualify as legends, or "lengends". 

Kate Winslet's never done any work on the West End stage, Emma Thompson very little...so I'll count them out too. What you mean is Brits in general, I guess.

I'd like to see Dames Diana Rigg, Penelope Wilton and Kristin Scott Thomas myself.

[JBroadway]

I agree with all of the ones mentioned. Of course "legend" is a subjective term, but here are some well-known British stage-actors (or, actors who have worked on the stage), whom I'd like to see do more work on Broadway:

-Simon Russell Beale

-David Tennant 

-Ralph Fiennes

-Fiona Shaw

-Derek Jacobi 

-Adrian Lester

-Ian Holm (is he still performing?)

-Rory Kinnear

-Jenna Russell

-Catherine Tate 

-Billie Piper (I just saw her in Yerma and it was a performance for the ages!) 

-Benedict Cumberbatch

-Tom Hiddleston 

-David Suchet

[Jay Lerner-Z]

I seem to have appointed myself the thread nitpick - but Fiona Shaw isn't British. She's arguably a West End legend, though, so I'll let it slide.

[10086sunset]

Wish Judi Dench would return, although I know it's a long shot at best....

[JBroadway]

Jay Lerner-Z said: "I seem to have appointed myself the thread nitpick - but Fiona Shaw isn't British. She's arguably a West End legend, though, so I'll let it slide."

 

Thanks for the tentative stamp of approval I always forget she's Irish. However, you could also have interpreted my saying "British stage actors" as meaning "actors of the British stage"

 

[M.O.A.I.]

Sadly, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, Anthony Hopkins, and Joan Plowright have all retired from stage work. Hopkins mainly because he dislikes the stage, apparently.

I know some of these have appeared on Broadway relatively recently, but my wishlist: Judi Dench, Vanessa Redgrave, Helen Mirren, Eileen Atkins, Diana Rigg, Penelope Wilton, Harriet Walter, Julie Walters, Derek Jacobi, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Albert Finney, Ian Holm, Lesley Manville, Fiona Shaw, Simon Russell Beale, Imelda Staunton, Kristin Scott Thomas, Juliet Stevenson, Clare Higgins, Lindsay Duncan, Zoe Wanamaker, Anne-Marie Duff, Rory Kinnear, Helen McCrory, Antony Sher, and the incomparable Mark Rylance.

Had the great privilege of seeing Jonathan Pryce in Merchant earlier this year, and will see Janet McTeer in Liaisons, so that'll be two struck from the list.

[QueenAlice]

It would be wonderful if the States got to experience some of our wonderful musical theatre talent like Joanna Riding, Samantha Spiro and Janie Dee (all Multiple Olivier Award winners)

[wonderfulwizard11]

Imelda mothereffing Staunton in Sweeney Todd. 

[neonlightsxo]

Theatrefanboy1 said: "Oh and Rob James-Collier and Richard Fleeshman (even if its just to look at that bod  haha)"

 

Have you forgotten Ghost the Musical so quickly?

[Theatrefanboy1]

Just finished watching Emma Thompson’s new film. Can we please find a play for her

Or even something where Ian mckellen and Judi dench are her parents.

[JVJ93]

Ruthie Henshall!

[henrikegerman]

Billie Piper, Rory Kinnear

 

[Loopin’theloop]

QueenAlice said: "It would be wonderful if the Statesgot to experience some of our wonderful musical theatre talent like Joanna Riding, Samantha Spiro and Janie Dee (all Multiple Olivier Award winners)"

Joanna Riding is wonderful, she’s a truly gifted actress and she can really sing but neither Janie Dee or Samantha Spiro are good enough to warrant a role in an American show, when there are better American actors available. 

[GottaHaveAGimmick]

John Barrowman in a musical please.

Also, although not yet a legend, Charlie Stemp 'cause he was so adorable in Dolly.

[markypoo]

Rafe Spall

[John Adams]

I have a different perspective, although I think it's ALWAYS great when actors cross the pond, in either direction, to share their talents...

My feeling is that if you want to experience the incredible work of any of these amazing actors, see them in London, on any off the West End stages.

For what it costs to fly and book accommodation in NYC, I found that spending a comparable amount to fly/stay in London was incredibly well worth it because London is an AMAZING city.

I went several years (ummm.. a couple of decades, really) ago and would LOVE to go back again. I went in November, and London was decking itself out for Christmas. It was the absolute best week I have ever spent.

So, yup... It will always be great when UK talent comes here, but based on what it costs to travel and stay in NYC, I believe money is better spent to get the "two-'fer" of both the talent AND the city. 

[JBroadway]

@John Adams, i completely agree that London has amazing theatre, and that seeing these actors in the wonderful and intimate off West End theatres is indeed a treat. But I imagine for most people, a plane ticket to NY is a lot more manageable financially than a plane ticket to London. And if you live in NY already - as many of us do - it’s obviously no comparison as to which is easier (not that we have anything to complain about, having such easy access to NYC theatre).

That’s said, I miss London terribly and I’m dying to go back.

[John Adams]

JBroadway said: "But I imagine for most people, a plane ticket to NY is a lot more manageable financially than a plane ticket to London. And if you live in NY already - as many of us do - it’s obviously no comparison as to which is easier (not that we have anything to complain about, having such easy access to NYC theatre)."

Yup, if someone lives in, or near NYC, it's definitely much more affordable than flying to London.

I was very surprised at how much more affordable it was for me to go to London for an entire week than it was for me to vacation for a single weekend in the US (I looked at Hawaii and Alaska at that time). Also, theater (theatRE?) ticket prices in London were much more affordable than in NYC. ...but it has been a couple of decades since I went, so I don't know how the affordability may have changed.

Also, what I found attractive about going to London went beyond the West End. The architecture, the museums, the pubs... even dumb little things like the kinds of food items you can find in grocery stores that aren't available in the States (I really miss the gingerbread cookies I bought there - wish I could remember the brand name!) OH... and there was a chocolate wine that they only sold at Christmastime that I REALLY loved (not to everyone's tastes, but I wish I could find it, here).

I'm glad that you miss, and enjoy London as much as I do! 

[markypoo]

Oh, for the days when I witnessed Anna Neagle, Rex Harrison, Tommy Steele, Colin Blakely, Michael Crawford, Janet Suzman, Nigel Davenport, Michael Gambon, Nigel Hawthorne, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Wilfred Hyde White, John Mills, Jill Bennett, Ralph Richardson, Celia Johnson, Donald Sinden, Maggie Smith, Robert Stephens, Edward Fox, Judi Dench, Richard Johnson, Deborah Kerr, Paul Scofield, Ben Kingsley, Glynis Johns and Kenneth More trod those well-worn British boards...

[Theatrefanboy1]

I agree with you that London has incredible theatre. It’s also interesting to note that having visited both ny and Ldn multiple times. I have found myself taking in much more play/drama/comdies in the west end than musicals and the opposite In New York. I stand by saying that it’s something about a west end actor they tend to be better “actors”. Nothing against any American actors. The west end acting just seems more built in character, in general.

[MarilynMonroeSmash]

I'm praying "All About Eve" with Gillian Anderson and Lily James transfers.