Alice Hamilton News

Final casting is announced today for the European premiere of Orson's Shadow, a critically acclaimed comedy by Austin Pendleton, about the time when Hollywood giants Orson Welles and Laurence Olivier worked together for the first time - the inspired idea of legendary theatre critic, Kenneth Tynan. 

Up in Arms and the Arcola Theatre today announce the world premiere of Barney Norris's new play Eventide, directed by Alice Hamilton. The production opens on 25 September, with previews from 23 September, and runs until 17 October, ahead of a national tour to venues includingTheatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, The North Wall and Salisbury Playhouse. Further tour dates will be announced shortly.

1960. Backstage at London's Royal Court Theatre. Hollywood giants Orson Welles and Laurence Olivier have been persuaded to work together for the first time - the inspired idea of legendary theatre critic, Kenneth Tynan. Welles has agreed to direct Olivier and Joan Plowright in a production of Eugene Ionesco's masterpiece Rhinoceros. But with Olivier's eccentric wife Vivien Leigh added to the volatile mix, legendary egos collide both on stage and off.

Barney Norris' debut full-length play Visitors has transferred from the Everyman Theatre in Chichester to the Arcola earlier this year and is now starting its run at Bush Theatre, where all of the original cast members have reprised their roles. Set in a remote farm in north Wiltshire, Edie (Linda Bassett) and Arthur (Robin Soans) a married couple in their seventies are living happily alone with Arthur working out on the farm and Edie keeping things running in the home. Having lived there their whole married lives, the play opens with them worrying over the arrival of a visitor - one who they're concerned will change their daily lives.