In just 45 minutes, Caryl Churchill's Far Away walks a tightrope between tricksy surrealism and dystopian warning but stays upright due to its sheer theatricality.
London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a new Tony Kushner adaptation to an epic musical and Shakespeare sitcom, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews, interviews and features!
The first production in this season will be Pulitzer Prize-winner Suzan-Lori Parks' modern epic IN THE BLOOD (17 April a?" 6 June 2020). Ellen McDougall will direct the first major UK production.
The Donmar Warehouse announces casting for Lyndsey Turner's new production of Caryl Churchill's Far Away. BAFTA-winning actress Jessica Hynes will make her Donmar debut in the role of Harper alongside Aisling Loftus as Joan and Simon Manyonda as Todd. Casting for the role of Young Joan is to be announced at a later date.
Andrew Scott, who is currently starring in Present Laughter on the West End, has joined the cast of His Dark Materials, a BBC and HBO co-production, according to Deadline.
Tom and Amber are a few months into their studies at Princeton. They both struggle to find their sense of self amongst the hustle and bustle of higher education. The pair couldn't be more different. Tom is a piano player with lots of sexual confidence, whereas Amber is an awkward English student who is a bit zany.
In our age of fake news, victim shaming and #metoo; and hot on the heels of recent documentaries It Happened One Night (Louis Theroux/ BBC) and Sex on Trial (Channel 4), Actually is an urgent exploration into our need for an absolute truth when faced with opposing versions; can we ever truly know what happened between two people behind closed doors?
Harriet Lane's memorably unsettling 2012 novel, about an overlooked sub-editor who infiltrates the literary elite, has been adapted for stage by Lucinda Coxon. Its combination of psychological thriller and industry satire is decently translated, but a conservative production from Bridge boss Nicholas Hytner (who, astonishingly, is here directing his first ever play by a female writer) makes a middling case for the virtues of a theatrical version.
Directed by Nicholas Hytner, Lucinda Coxon's new play Alys, Always based on Harriet Lane's novel of the same name is playing at the Bridge Theatre until Saturday 30 March 2019.
Joanne Froggatt (Frances) and Robert Glenister (Lawrence) lead the cast in the world premiere of Lucinda Coxon's Alys, Always and are joined by Danny Ashok (Sid), Joanna David (Charlotte), Leah Gayer (Polly), Simon Manyonda (Oliver),Sylvestra Le Touzel (Mary/Audrey), Jeff Rawle (Robin/Mr Thorpe), Vineeta Rishi (Julia Price), Sue Wallace (Mrs Thorpe) and Sam Woolf (Teddy).
Joining the previously announced Joanne Froggatt (Frances) and Robert Glenister (Lawrence) in the premiere of Lucinda Coxon's Alys, Always are Danny Ashok (Sid), Joanna David (Charlotte), Leah Gayer (Polly), Simon Manyonda (Oliver), Sylvestra Le Touzel (Mary/Audrey), Jeff Rawle (Robin/Mr Thorpe), Vineeta Rishi (Julia Price), Sue Wallace (Mrs Thorpe) and Sam Woolf (Teddy).
HBO partners with BBC, Bad Wolf, and New Line Cinema in a co-prodution of 'His Dark Materials.' HBO co-production of 8-episode drama series currently set for 2 seasons. HBO secures worldwide rights to the series (excluding the UK).
The Donmar Warehouse today announces full casting for James Macdonald's new revival of William Congreve's Restoration comedy masterpiece The Way of The World. Haydn Gwynne will be playing the role of Lady Wishfort, replacing Linda Bassett who has sadly had to withdraw from the production before the start of rehearsals for personal reasons.
Following the sell out run at the National Theatre this summer extra dates have now been added for the return of Inua Ellams' play Barber Shop Chronicles to the Dorfman this autumn, now opening on 20 November and in repertoire until the 9 January. Tickets go on sale at midday on Thursday 31 August.