Kevin Spacey to Star in Old Vic 'Inherit the Wind' and Grindley to Direct 6 Degrees of Separation

The Old Vic today announced two new productions beginning in September with Trevor Nunn returning to direct Inherit the Wind, starring Kevin Spacey.

Following the first year of Sam Mendes' The Bridge Project, which is currently in preview at The Old Vic featuring The Cherry Orchard and The Winter's Tale, these new productions mark the beginning of the sixth season for The Old Vic Theatre Company under Kevin Spacey as Artistic Director. The fifth season has also included Matthew Warchus' award-winning revival of The Norman Conquests, now playing on Broadway, and Dancing at Lughnasa.

In September, Trevor Nunn will direct Kevin Spacey, as Henry Drummond, in Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee's grippingly relevant drama Inherit the Wind, in which two legal Titans confront each other when a community puts freedom of thought on trial. Considered one of the great American plays of the twentieth century Inherit the Wind is based on the famous 1925 Scopes 'Monkey' Trial in which science teacher John Scopes was accused of violating a Tennessee state statute by teaching Charles Darwin's theory of evolution to his students. This production marks the 150th Anniversary of the publication of Darwin's 'The Origin of Species'

In January 2010, David Grindley will direct John Guare's adrenalin-fuelled, Olivier award-winning play Six Degrees of Separation. A sharp, vivacious take on two worlds colliding, the play is inspired by the real life story of a flamboyant con artist who managed to convince wealthy residents of Manhattan's Upper East Side he was the son of Sidney Poitier. The play originally debuted on Broadway in 1990 and in 1993 it was adapted as a film starring Stockard Channing - reprising her Broadway role - Donald Sutherland and Will Smith. This new production will be the first major London revival of the play in almost 18 years.

In June 2010, some of the finest British and American theatre talents converge at The Old Vic for the second year of The Bridge Project. The three-year, transatlantic partnership unites The Old Vic with Brooklyn Academy Of Music and Neal Street Productions. Two classic plays will be performed in repertoire throughout the run. The Bridge Project is presented by Bank of America with support from American Airlines and is produced by The Old Vic, Brooklyn Academy Of Music and Neal Street Productions.

Kevin Spacey, Artistic Director of The Old Vic commented "I had a wonderful experience working with Trevor Nunn on Richard II and I am thrilled we'll be reunited for this timely production of Inherit the Wind. David Grindley's production of Six Degrees of Separation will, I am sure, be a highly anticipated event. These productions continue The Old Vic tradition of great plays and renowned creative talent and we're delighted to welcome two of Britain's finest theatre directors back to our stage."

The 24 Hour Plays Gala returns to The Old Vic on Sunday 1 November for the sixth year running. 40 internationally renowned actors, directors and writers join forces to test their talents to the limit and create six short plays in just 24 hours. Past participants have included; Gael Garcia Bernal, Jim Broadbent, Josh Hartnett, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Joseph Fiennes, Rosamund Pike, Brooke Shields, Vince Vaughan and Catherine Tate. The 24 Hour Plays Celebrity Gala is the principal annual fundraising event in support of Old Vic New Voices. This department is dedicated to working with young people, developing emerging talent and building new audiences. The Old Vic receives no government subsidy so the Gala and other fundraising events are vital to ensure this ongoing work.

 

Photo Credit: Pablo Pimienta

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