It was a dark and stormy night. Two couples are caught in a snowstorm on their way back from a party. Three of them arrive at a remote Connecticut farmhouse. One disappears. There's a definite pleasure in this familiar story, immaculately told in David Hare's adaptation of Georges Simenon's novel La Main. The noir thriller tropes are all in place, from femme fatales and gnawing jealousy to paranoia about what lies beneath.
Final performances of the Young Chekhov trilogy begin this autumn in the Olivier Theatre, and The Plough and the Stars is wrapping up at the Lyttelton. In addition, previews begin in the Lyttelton for The Red Barn on 6 October (press night on 17 October), and Amadeus starts previewing in the Olivier from 19 October, (press night on 26 October).
London is never short of theatre temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From Amadeus and a starry Stoppard revival to exciting new musicals, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews…
The Red Barn a new play by David Hare, based on the novel, La Main, by Georges Simenon opens in the Lyttelton Theatre on 6 October (press night 17 October). The great detective writer Georges Simenon escaped France at the end of World War Two, and arrived in the USA to start again. With his American wife, he settled at Shadow Rock Farm in Lakeville, Connecticut. Years later, he wrote La Main, a psychological thriller set in a New England farmhouse.
Acclaimed American actress Hope Davis has starred in numerous independent films and TV dramas, from About Schmidt and American Splendour to In Treatment, The Special Relationship and Wayward Pines. She received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in the original Broadway production of God of Carnage, and next month she returns to the stage in David Hare's new play The Red Barn at the National Theatre, directed by Robert Icke.
Headlong's Artistic Director Jeremy Herrin announces the company's plans for the future with an exceptional season of world premieres, re-workings, short films and country wide participation work. The season features provocative, constantly surprising theatre which addresses urgent questions about the way we live today with vitality, wit and theatrical intelligence. Uniting an eclectic group of theatre-makers with a common aim to challenge the limits of what theatre can achieve, this programme develops Headlong's commitment to touring the most ambitious theatre to audiences around the UK and across the world.
CITY OF GLASS, the first part of Paul Auster's landmark three-part novel, The New York Trilogy, will be brought vividly to life in spring 2017 in a dazzlingly original stage adaptation by Tony Award-winning 59 Productions (An American in Paris, War Horse, David Bowie Is) and Olivier Award-nominated playwright Duncan Macmillan (People, Places and Things, 1984). The production premieres at Manchester's HOME in March and then plays London's Lyric Hammersmith from April. It's one of two major theatre commissions for HOME's new season, the other being David Watson's version of Ibsen's GHOSTS, directed by Polly Findlay.
Ruth Wilson takes the title role in HEDDA GABLER in a new version by Patrick Marber, directed by Ivo van Hove, in the new National Theatre season. The production previews from 5 December.
Actor Andrew Gower's credits include Monroe, The White Queen, Being Human and Outlander. He's currently starring as Winston Smith in the third West End run of 1984, Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan's lauded adaptation of George Orwell's novel.
The Almeida will broadcast Artistic Director Rupert Goold's production of RICHARD III, with Ralph Fiennes as Shakespeare's most notorious villain and Vanessa Redgrave as Queen Margaret, live to cinemas in the UK and around the world today 21 July.
Harry Potter mania grips London, while over the pond the States is seized by Hamilton fever. What do they have in common? Both originated in literary sources - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in J.K. Rowling's book series, and Hamilton in Ron Chernow's historical biography. They're not alone, with other examples this summer including Breakfast at Tiffany's, now in the West End, Therese Raquin at Southwark Playhouse, and the return of Pride and Prejudice to Regent's Park Open Air. So, here are 10 of the best page to stage adaptations.
THE RED BARN, a new play by David Hare, based on the novel, La Main, by Georges Simenon opens in the Lyttelton Theatre on 6 October (press night 17 October).
Juliet Stevenson, who is also set to appear in HAMLET as 'Gertrude' this season, will return to the Almeida Theatre stage in Robert Icke's adaptation of MARY STUART, opposite Lia Williams, beginning December 2nd.
Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan's brilliant adaptation of George Orwell's formidable novel has returned the West End, following international tours and its very successful London run last summer. Perhaps not typical summer-viewing, this production combines the fantastic and too-true to create something really thought-provoking.
To commemorate and celebrate the life of Ian Charleson, The Sunday Times and the National Theatre collaborate annually to present these awards for outstanding performances anywhere in the UK by actors under the age of thirty in a classical role - defined as one in a play written before 1918.
Following the return of 1984 to the Playhouse Theatre last night, the booking period for the West End run has been extended until 29 October 2016. Directed by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan with Daniel Raggett, this year will see an entirely new cast take to the stage in George Orwell's dystopian masterpiece. Production images have also been released today ahead of official opening night at the Playhouse Theatre on 28 June 2016. Tickets for this critically and publically acclaimed production are now on sale and available: http://1984theplay.co.uk/
Rehearsal images have today been released of an entirely new cast in rehearsals for Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan's adaptation of 1984. The cast for the hit West End production of George Orwell's dystopian masterpiece will be:Rosie Ede, Andrew Gower, Joshua Higgott, Richard Katz, Anthony O'Donnell, Daniel Rabin, Catrin Stewart and Angus Wright alongside Eve Benioff Salama, Cleopatra Dickens, Amber Fernee and India Fowler who will alternate the role of Child. Check out the photos below!
The Almeida will broadcast Artistic Director Rupert Goold's production of RICHARD III, with Ralph Fiennes as Shakespeare's most notorious villain and Vanessa Redgrave as Queen Margaret, live to cinemas in the UK and around the world on 21 July.
More than 25 nominations of outstanding actors, directors, designers and ensembles were announced today by The Boston Theater Critics Association (BTCA), with winners to be revealed at the 34th Annual Elliot Norton Awards on Monday, May 23, 2016 at 7 PM, at Boston's Citi Performing Arts Center Shubert Theatre.
An entirely new cast has started rehearsals for Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan's adaptation of 1984.
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