Glamorous and mythic, the Mitford sisters often feel like untouchable figures of the past, central to the tumultuous politics of the interwar period and yet forgotten amidst the rollcall of far more significant names. They seem like the sorts of characters who would be impossible to bring to life, and yet Amy Rosenthal’s The Party Girls successfully brings these figures vividly into the sphere of the audience’s knowledge.
It's good to hear collective laughter again in a theatre, but the dated characters grate rather than charm, and fewer jokes land in 2020s than in the 1970s.
Joining the previously announced Kirsty Besterman (Constance Wicksteed), Jasper Britton (Arthur Wicksteed), Matthew Cottle (Canon Throbbing), Ria Jones (Mrs Swabb), Thomas Josling (Dennis Wicksteed), Caroline Langrishe (Lady Rumpers), Catherine Russell (Muriel Wicksteed) and Abdul Salis (Mr Shanks), are Katie Bernstein (Felicity Rumpers), Kelvin O'Mard (Mr Purdue) and Dan Starkey (Sir Percy).
The antics of the Wicksteed home are a darkly satirical merry-go-round in Alan Bennett's Habeas Corpus. Family, friends and the quest for sexual pleasures of the body (“corpus”) are the ruling passions in this farcical comedy of ill-manners. Through an escapade of mistaken identities and carnal encounters, one motto holds fast: “He whose lust lasts, lasts longest.”
Scottish actor Michael Nardone (BBC One's The Night Manager and Rellik, HBO's Rome) will play the title role in National Theatre Director Rufus Norris' touring production of MACBETH, with Kirsty Besterman (Genesis Inc. at Hampstead Theatre, They Drink It in The Congo at the Almeida Theatre, and BBC One's Father Brown) joining the cast as Lady Macbeth.
Michael Nardone (BBC One's The Night Manager and Rellik, HBO's Rome) will play the title role in Rufus Norris' touring production of Macbeth, with Kirsty Besterman (Genesis Inc. at Hampstead Theatre, They Drink It in The Congo at the Almeida Theatre, and BBC One's Father Brown) joining the cast as Lady Macbeth.
When Actors Touring Company's English language version of Winter Solstice received its world premiere at Orange Tree Theatre in early 2017, it received rave reviews and played to sell out audiences. From February to March 2018, the company takes Roland Schimmelpfennig's startling drama to the road for a national tour of the UK.
London is never short of theatre temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From the new Groundhog Day musical and Shakespeare in a department store to a highly anticipated Branagh performance, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews…
Kirsty Besterman, David Cardy, Amanda Hadingue, Adelle Leonce and Andy Rush will join the previously announced Sally Messham and Laura Rogers in Laura Wade's new adaptation of Sarah Waters' bestselling novel, Tipping the Velvet, directed by Lyndsey Turner. They will be supported by a young ensemble. Tipping the Velvet will open at the Lyric Hammersmith on 28 September 2015, with previews from 18 September.
English Touring Theatre and Theatre Royal Brighton Productions today announced casting for a new touring production of Tom Stoppard's comedy masterpiece, Arcadia, which will be the first major national tour since 1993, and over 20 years since the play has been seen by audiences around the UK.
Red Handed Theatre Company will present Sheridan's most popular comedy, The School for Scandal, at the Park Theatre, London from tonight, 12 June to the 7 July. Directed by Jessica Swale, this sparkling period production will come to life in one of London's newest venues before transferring to the Georgian Theatre Royal Bury St. Edmunds.
Red Handed Theatre Company will present Sheridan's most popular comedy, The School for Scandal, at the Park Theatre, London from the 12 June to the 7 July. Directed by Jessica Swale, this sparkling period production will come to life in one of London's newest venues before transferring to the Georgian Theatre Royal Bury St. Edmunds.
Playwright April De Angelis takes a witty, exuberant look at the plight of the first actresses to tread the boards during the Restoration era in Playhouse Creatures, the second production to be staged at the brand new pop-up space, Theatre on the Fly. The show, directed by Michael Oakley, is set for tonight, 19 July - 11 August, 2012.
Playwright April De Angelis takes a witty, exuberant look at the plight of the first actresses to tread the boards during the Restoration era in Playhouse Creatures, the second production to be staged at the brand new pop-up space, Theatre on the Fly. The show, directed by Michael Oakley, is set for 19 July - 11 August, 2012.
Papatango have teamed up with one of London's leading new writing venues, the Finborough Theatre to present the winning entries in the 2011 Papatango Playwriting Competition 2011, featuring this year's winning play Foxfinder by Dawn King which will play for a four week limited season from 29 November (Press Night: Thursday, 1 December 2011 at 8.30pm) and three runners up who will each receive a one week run - Through The Night by Matt Morrison (Press Night: Wednesday, 7 December 2011 at 6.30pm), Rigor Mortis by Carol Vine (Press Night:Wednesday, 14 December 2011 at 6.30pm) and Crush by Rob Young (Press Night: Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 6.30pm).
Papatango have teamed up with one of London's leading new writing venues, the Finborough Theatre to present the winning entries in the 2011 Papatango Playwriting Competition 2011, featuring this year's winning play Foxfinder by Dawn King which will play for a four week limited season from 29 November (Press Night: Thursday, 1 December 2011 at 8.30pm) and three runners up who will each receive a one week run - Through The Night by Matt Morrison (Press Night: Wednesday, 7 December 2011 at 6.30pm), Rigor Mortis by Carol Vine (Press Night:Wednesday, 14 December 2011 at 6.30pm) and Crush by Rob Young (Press Night: Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 6.30pm).
Papatango have teamed up with one of London's leading new writing venues, the Finborough Theatre to present the winning entries in the 2011 Papatango Playwriting Competition 2011, featuring this year's winning play Foxfinder by Dawn King which will play for a four week limited season from 29 November (Press Night: Thursday, 1 December 2011 at 8.30pm).
Papatango have teamed up with one of London's leading new writing venues, the Finborough Theatre to present the winning entries in the 2011 Papatango Playwriting Competition 2011, featuring this year's winning play Foxfinder by Dawn King which will play for a four week limited season from 29 November (Press Night: Thursday, 1 December 2011 at 8.30pm) and three runners up who will each receive a one week run - Through The Night by Matt Morrison (Press Night: Wednesday, 7 December 2011 at 6.30pm), Rigor Mortis by Carol Vine (Press Night:Wednesday, 14 December 2011 at 6.30pm) and Crush by Rob Young (Press Night: Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 6.30pm).