The British Theatre Guide: News for 3rd April, 2005

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Dateline: 3rd April, 2005

West End Schiller and Rattigan Follow-Ups
Follwing the success of Michael Grandage's production of Schiller's Don Carlos (Gielgud) and Terence Rattigan's Man and Boy (Duchess), two more productions by the same authors are being lined up for the West End later this year.

Phyllida Lloyd is to direct Schiller’s Mary Stuart at the Donmar this summer and Rattigan’s In Praise of Love, with Patricia Hodge, is also expected in the West End.

Both Don Carlos, which stars Derek Jacobi, and Man and Boy, with David Suchet, are currently making a profit, having, according to Variety, recouped their £300,000 (DC) and £125,000 costs.

More Philadelphia Casting
The latest casting to be annouced for the Old Vic production of The Philadelphia Story is US film actor DW Moffett, who will play Mike Connor.

Although no one has yet been announced to replace Kevin Spacey when he is away filming, the actual dates of his absence have been confirmed. He will appear from 3rd May to 18th June, after which he will be absent until 8th August, when he will resume the part and appear until the play closes on 3rd September.

Mendes to Film Sweeney Todd
Sam Mendes' company Scamp Films is to produce a film version of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, although it has not yet been announced whether or not Mendes will direct it himself. The part of Sweeney Todd himself has been offered to Russell Crowe who is siad to be "mulling over" whether or not to accept. Among the actresses being considered as Todd's pie-making sidekick Mrs. Lovett are Emma Thompson, Imelda Staunton amd Australian Toni Collette.

Phallacy in Hampstead
Scientist/novelist/playwright Carl Djerassi's latest play Phallacy will premiere at Hampstead's New End Theatre from 15th April (previews from 6th) to 14th May. Directed and produced by Andy Jordan, the cast includes Karen Archer, Chris Brazier, Hamish Clark, Lynette Edwards, Jack Klaff and Lucy Leimann.

It is based on a true story. A revered classical statue, for centuries thought to be a Roman original, is suddenly proved to be merely a 16th century cast. But is it worth less?

Countess to Premiere in Guildford
The long-running Off-Broadway success, Gregory Murphy's The Countess, is to have its UK premiere at the Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford, from 4th to 14th May. Dealing with the scandal surrounding John Ruskin, his wife Effie and John Everett Millais, it features Gerald Harper, Nick Moran, Jean Boht, Deidra Morris, Edmund Kent, Chris Garwood & Linda Thorson. A West End transfer is anticipated.

Labute Donmar Casting
The casting for the Donmar production of Neil Labute's This Is How It Goes has been announced. it will be Megan Dodds, Ben Chaplin and Idris Elba.

The production runs from 31st May (previews from 26th) to 9th July. Based on an interracial love affair in small-towm America, Ii will be directed by Moises Kaufman.

Summer at Hampstead
The Hampstead Theatre has announced its summer programme:

Osama the Hero
by Dennis Kelly
5 May - 11 June
Gary's not stupid. He just dares to see the world differently. In the classroom and on the estate, he provokes without intent. When another act of violence unsettles those around him, Gary must take the blame.
Osama the Hero is a visceral rollercoaster of a play by one of Britain's hottest emerging writers. Raw, angry and urgent, this is an explosive piece of work. Directed by Anthony Clarke.
A Single Act
by Jane Bodie
12 May - 11 June
Scott and Michelle meet in a bar. On the other side of town, Neil returns home to find Clea still alive. But are any of them safe? Four separate trajectories. One single moment that will help to define them all.
Menacing and acutely observed, this new play is the first London outing by internationally acclaimed British-born writer Jane Bodie. Directed by Anthony Clarke.
Three Women and a Piano Tuner
by Helen Cooper
16 June - 9 July
A study of the choices women make between ambition and love. Ella, Liz and Beth, bound together by a troubled past, must find a way to work together in order to perform Ella's first piano concerto. Directed by Sam West.
What the Butler Saw
by Joe Orton
14 July - 20 August
Directed by David Grindley.

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