Exit the King at the National Theatre has a beautiful design and wonderful performances from some of the cast, but it ultimately falls flat. While Patrick Marber's new version of Eugene Ionesco's absurdist drama about a dying king has its good moments, it seems to drag on for a play that is only an hour and forty minutes long.
Somewhere in Europe the kingdom is disintegrating. It's the last day of King Berenger's life. Queen Marguerite is preparing for the end and Queen Marie is in denial. The King is 400 years old and dying, but he's clinging on for dear life...
Exit the King marks the first time Eugène Ionesco work has been performed at the National. Playing on the vast Olivier stage, this absurdist play features a cast of just six actors, an intimate staging. One of those is actress Debra Gillett, making her return to the National. With the production opening tomorrow, Debra shares how rehearsals have been going and looks ahead to how Exit the King will resonate with audiences and actors alike.
The great tragicomedy EXIT THE KING is brought to life on the Olivier stage this summer, the first time Eugene Ionesco's work has been performed at the National Theatre. Patrick Marber (Three Days in the Country, Hedda Gabler) directs his new version of Exit the King with Rhys Ifans (A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic) in the title role and Indira Varma (Man and Superman) as his first Queen.
Premium television network EPIX® announced today that the third season of its original spy drama Berlin Station will commence production in Budapest, Hungary on July 4 with new series regular Ismael Cruz Córdova (Ray Donovan). The series, which also welcomed new showrunner Jason Horwitch (Rubicon, House of Cards) this season, is slated to return to EPIX later this year.
The National Theatre announces new information, and recaps its upcoming season.
To accompany the new season of productions, a programme of talks and events will begin with a series relating to Exit the King. Philosopher Julian Baggini will explore the concept of free will in his talk Free Will: Do We Have a Choice?, blending philosophy, neuroscience, sociology and cognitive science. Exploring Exit the King will explore the current production, focussing on the practicalities of putting the show together with insights from cast members and theatre-makers. On 6 September, actors Rhys Ifans and Indira Varma will reflect on the challenges and rewards of playing King Berenger and Queen Marguerite, a talk will explore Three Perspectives on Dying and finally Director and Adapter Patrick Marber will talk about his new production. A combined ticket will also be available for these three talks.
Gendered power dynamics, the commodification of art, and abuse in the creative industries: Joe Penhall's new play certainly feels of the moment, and there's a particular frisson in seeing such subject matter explored at the Old Vic, which is dealing with the legacy of Kevin Spacey. Yet a potent topic remains stubbornly discursive in this rather circular piece.
London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From meaty revivals to the open-air theatres opening their doors, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld reviews, interviews and features!
The National Theatre has announced its May-September 2018 season.
Stage and screen star Cynthia Nixon has finally broken the silence about her political ambitions. She just announced via Twitter that she'll run for Governor of New York this year.
Rhys Ifans stars in MOOD MUSIC at London's Old Vic, which previews from 21 April. It's a sly, wry exploration of the dark side of the music industry by the writer of Sunny Afternoon Joe Penhall, and directed by Roger Michell. Book tickets here from £30!
Imagine a meeting of the minds between Albert Einstein, Marilyn Monroe, Senator Joe McCarthy, and Joe DiMaggio in a New York hotel room in the 1950s. Using these archetypes as a jumping off point, playwright Terry Johnson shows that celebrity, sex, death, and politics are all intertwined. Hilarious and heartbreaking, Insignificance shows us that everything is in fact relative.
Imagine a meeting of the minds between Albert Einstein, Marilyn Monroe, Senator Joe McCarthy, and Joe DiMaggio in a New York hotel room in the 1950s. Using these archetypes as a jumping off point, playwright Terry Johnson shows that celebrity, sex, death, and politics are all intertwined. Hilarious and heartbreaking, Insignificance shows us that everything is in fact relative.
The Old Vic has announced the renewal of Royal Bank of Canada's Principal Partnership and their continued support of Artistic Director Matthew Warchus' vision for the theatre to be an independent beacon of accessible, uplifting and unintimidating art.
Today The Old Vic and PwC announce the renewal of PwC's support of the 200-year-old theatre and the PwC 10 Previews scheme until the end of Season 4 in August 2019. The Old Vic is London's independent not-for-profit theatre which, despite receiving no regular public subsidy, strives to make the work on stage accessible to all. PwC 10 Previews are integral to this and through this uniquely open-access scheme, a new generation of theatre-goers continue to be inspired.
Rhys Ifans is to star in Mood Music which previews from 21 April 2018 with a press night on 2 May 2018. 'Music is medication. The elixir of life. It's for injecting into the blood stream to take away the pain...to promote euphoria...to adrenalise us and give us courage and fortitude.'
Baz Bamigboye of the Daily Mail has reported that Rhys Ifans will be making his return to the Old Vic Theatre in Joe Penhall's new play, Mood Music.
Premium TV network EPIX , an MGM company, announced today it has renewed its original spy drama BERLIN STATION for a third season. News of the renewal of the CIA-centric series comes on the heels of the second season finale, which aired Sunday, December 3 at 9 P.M. ET/PT on EPIX.
There are many reasons why Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol has been adapted endlessly. A cautionary tale of debt, ghosts, meanness of spirit and salvation set in a snowy Victorian Christmas is irresistible to directors and theatregoers alike. This year the Old Vic has taken up the baton with Matthew Warchus' traditional and utterly charming take on the festive classic.
Videos
.jpg?format=auto&width=365)
