Angela Lansbury 'Likes the Idea' of Doing THE CHALK GARDEN

88-year-old Angela Lansbury does not seem to be retiring from the stage anytime soon. The Broadway vet may be set to take her final bow as Madame Arcati in West End's Blithe Spirit this weekend, but she has already expressed interest in taking on Enid Bagnold's THE CHALK GARDEN as her next project.

"I like the idea of doing Enid Bagnold's THE CHALK GARDEN," she told the Telegraph. "Now that is an interesting play. I also rather fancy the idea of a Restoration comedy."

THE CHALK GARDEN is a straight play that first opened on Broadway in 1955 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. It tells the story of the wealthy Mrs. St. Maugham and her granddaughter Laurel, a spoiled teenager who's mother has remarried. Miss Madrigal, Mrs. St. Maugham's new governess, intervenes in their lives by encouraging the growth of both Laurel, and the withering garden.

Lansbury was slated to portray Mrs. St. Maugham in a Broadway revival of THE CHALK GARDEN in late 2013, however the play never made it to the production stage. A year later, and she still has not abandoned her aspiration of starring in a production of the play at some point in her career.

According to the Telegraph, the octogenarian "plans to allow herself a 'short break' after [BLITHE SPIRIT] closes, but she has 'no intention' of retiring from the stage."

Not only has she has been praised for her portrayal of Madame Arcati, but she has also recieved standing ovations every night. Lansbury says that this indicates how "misguided 'ageist' attitudes are in her profession."

The West End has always welcomed her with open arms, so it seems like Lansbury's hiatus won't last for too long.

To post a comment, you must register and login.