Although it may be on the wrong side of the Atlantic to make an impact, 3 anti-Bush satirical plays are to open in The Dubya Trilogy. The first up is The Madness of George Dubya, which previously enjoyed an extended West End run at the Arts Theatre, followed by A Weapons Inspector Calls (a reworking of JB Priestley's classic) and then finally Guantanamo Baywatch, the poster of which has George W. Bush's head morphed onto Pamela Anderson's body. All plays are penned by Justin Butcher and they run in rep at the New Player's Theatre from 19th October to 20th November. Personally I'd love to be in the audience on November 3rd..
It was never meant to be for Murderous Instincts. Five directors, a bashing by the show's star in a daily newspaper, cancelled previews, a script written by the producer's wife and little publicity were just some of the contributing factors to its downfall. Then it finally opened at the Savoy Theatre.. to bad reviews. The show had its press performance on October 7th and a week later announced a swift closure for Saturday October 16th. The production's tacky storyline (one of the songs is called 'It's so much fun to be gay') and swift departure echoes the proceedings of Money to Burn almost exactly a year ago to the date.
Whilst Murderous Instincts had a troubled time finding audiences, the Globe Theatre and National Theatre are celebrating capacity numbers of 93% and 91% respectively for their 2004 seasons. At the Globe, under the reign of Mark Rylance (who leaves the venue in December '05), their productions included Romeo and Juliet and an all-female production of Much Ado About Nothing. The National, on a roll from winning eight Olivier Awards this year, found audiences in their £10 Travelex season, with 100% attendance for Kenneth Branagh's turn in Edmund as well as with new work like JerrySpringer – the Opera and Elmina's Kitchen.
When an actor or director withdraws for 'artistic differences', eyebrows raise. So how about when a director withdraws for 'artistic differences' and then the leading lady falls ill with the new director.. just hours after the first director's withdrawal announcement? Puzzling. Well that's exactly what's happened this week with Jerry Hall, who was due to perform in a one-woman show about Calamity Jane – My Darlin' Janey. Before she contracted glandular fever, the actress - who has appeared on stage in The Graduate and The Vagina Monologues - was expected to perform at the King's Head in Islington for a month. The production has been cancelled.
After the news last week about the closure of the Bridewell Theatre, the venue contacted me to inform readers that although they will receive a development grant of £32,500 they need closer to 80K a year to survive in the commercial sector. Any donations are gratefully received and potential donators can contact the marketing manager Tania Owen on either 0207 353 0259 or tania.owen@bridwelltheatre.co.uk. Such a shame that we have productions like Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You and Tonight's the Night, but no place to support new musical theatre work.
