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Dateline:
9th February, 2003
Spacey to Run New Old
Vic Production Company
Kevin Spacey has been appointed to run a new production company at the
Old Vic, it was announced this week.
"Now we are in a new time; a time of significant change in many
of the theatres in this country," he said. "With new directors
taking their place at the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company,
the Almeida, the Donmar and the continuing accomplishment of the work
at the Globe - it seems a good moment for the Old Vic to take its place
once again as a producing theatre alongside these exciting advancements
within the theatre community."
"One of our priorities for the new Old Vic Theatre Company,"
he went on, "will be to continue our outreach to new audiences
- particularly younger theatregoers - creating educational programs,
children's series and a vision for a season of plays which will attract
audiences from all parts. It will be my personal commitment to appear
in at least two productions a season. I also intend to direct."
He also, he said, intends to continue his film work.
Joining Spacey as producer will be David Liddiment.
New and Old Faces at
the Almeida
Michael Attenborough, artistic director of the Almeida Theatre in Islington,
has announced the team of associates who will help run the theatre after
its official reopening in May.The team will consist of new and well-established
associates. Howard Davies will continue to be the associate director,
and the present team of artistic advisors - Jonathan Dove (music), Mark
Henderson (lighting) and John Leonard (sound) - will also continue.
They will be joined by a new group of associate actors - Josette
Bushell-Mingo, Meera Syal, Richard Wilson and Simon Russell Beale. Also
in the line-up are the RSC's former London manager, Neil Constable,
who will be executive director, and RSC producer and casting executive
Maggi Lunn, who wll become artistic associate, assisting with programming
and casting.
Merchant Bank Coutts and Co will be the main sponsors of the theatre.
Josette Bushell-Mingo, Meera Syal, Richard Wilson and Simon Russell
Beale.
Driver to Make West
End Debut
British film actress Minnie Driver is to make her West End debut in
a revival of Mamet's Sexual Perversity in Chicago at the Comedy
Theatre. The play will be directed by Lindsay Posner and will open in
the spring, but no further details have been announced.
New UK Black Theatre
Initiative
A new UK black theatre initiative, aimed at addressing the findings
of the EclipeRreport which found British theatre to be racist, launched
its first production on 7th February. Moon on a Rainbow Shawl
is the first of three co-productions between Notthingham Playhouse,
Ipswich New Wolsey and Bristol Old Vic under the title Eclipse Theatre.
Cliff
on Tour
Cliff - the Musical, about pop singer Cliff Richard, is to have
a short national tour before moving into the West End in March. After
opening this week in Liverpool, the show goes on to Sunderland, Manchester,
Derby, Doncaster and Chelmsford. Its West End venue will be the Prince
of Wales Theatre.
Progress on The
Woman in White
According to a report in the Daily Mail, Andre Lloyd Webber and Charlote
Jones have completed the first act of the proposed musical The Woman
in White, based on Wilkie Collins' novel. Lyrics will be by David
Zippel and Trevor Nunn will direct the first production.
David Ginola - RADA
Graduate?
According to The Independent, ex-footballer David Ginola may be about
to start on a course at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). He
has already, the paper says, been having "private tuition from
a famous but unnamed French actor in the south of France."
Extending
The revival of Grease (Victoria Palace) has extended by seven
weeks to 19th April.
After announcing extra an matinee and a price rise last week, the musical
We Will Rock You this week announced a extension to 3rd January,
2004.
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