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Dateline: 11th May, 2008

Francesca Annis

Under the Blue Sky Casting
Casting has been announced for the revival (and West End premiere) of David Eldridge's Under the Blue Sky whcih will open at the Duke of York's from 25th July (previews from 15th). In the cast will be Francesca Annis, Lisa Dillon, Chris O’Dowd, Dominic Rowan and Catherine Tate. Anna Mackmin directs.

Under the Blue Sky, a series of interconnected love stories, was first seen at the Royal Court Theatre in September 2000. Uncertainties, misunderstanding and the unsaid lead to unexpected results for three couples who seem destined never to say the right thing.

The production is currently booking until 20th September.

Ian McDiarmid

Chichester Six Characters Casting
Ian McDiarmid is to lead the cast in the Chichester Festival/Headlong Theatre production of Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of an Author which opens in the Minerva Studio on 8th July (previews from 27th June), running until 23rd August. Also in the cast are Noma Dumezweni, Eleanor David and Jamie Bower.

Headlong's Rupert Goold direct and the the play will be seen in a version by Goold and Headlong literary associate Ben Power.

Bush Premieres Australian Debut Play
Joseph Fiennes
Josie Rourke will direct Joseph Fiennes, Ian Hart and Phyllis Logan in 2000 Feet Away, the debut play by Australian playwright Anthony Weigh, who write it while on attachment at the National Theatre. It had its world premiere in Sydney last year.

The play is set in Iowa and tells the story of a Deputy Sheriff who is charged with enforcing the new state law banning sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools, parks, bus stops, public libraries, or anywhere else children may gather. When the deputy is compelled to evict his neighbors' son, the new law hits home.

Coming to the Royal Court
Royal Court trainee associate director Lyndsey Turner will direct Contractions by Mike Bartlett later this month, when it begins previews on 29th May, opening on 4th and running until 14th June. Julia Davis and Anna Madeley star in this black comedy about work and play.

Also in June - opening on 13th (previews from 6th and running to 15th July - is Anthony Neilson's new play, Relocated. Directed by Neilson, it will feature Frances Grey, Stuart McQuarrie, Jan Pearson and Nicola Walker.

Her Naked Skin publicity image

Manville Returns to the National
Lesley Manville will play the lead in Rebecca Lenkiewicz’s new play Her Naked Skin, which will run from 24th July in the National’s Olivier.

London 1913. Militancy in the Suffragette Movement is at its height. Thousands of women of all classes serve time in Holloway Prison in their fight to gain the vote. Amongst them is Lady Celia Cain who feels trapped by both the policies of the day and the shackles of a frustrating marriage. Inside, she meets a young seamstress, Eve Douglas, and her life spirals into an erotic but dangerous chaos.

No other casting has been announced.

The Harder They Come production photo

The Harder They Come West End Transfer
The Harder They Come, the reggae musical based on the 1972 Perry Henzell film that launched Jimmy Cliff onto the world stage, will open at the Playhouse Theatre on Monday 9th June with previews commencing on 23rd May. The Harder They Come has enjoyed sell-out seasons at the Theatre Royal Stratford East and the Barbican Centre.

The musical tells the story of a country boy who makes for the bright lights of Kingston, Jamaica. With a head full of songs he dreams of becoming a reggae star. When the harsh reality of the music scene drives him into a fast and furious life as an outlaw, he would rather die than kill his dream.

It stars Rolan Bell as Ivan. Also in the cast are Jacqui Dubois, Derek Elroy, Victor Romero Evans, Joanna Francis, Matthew J Henry, Marlon King, Susan Lawson-Reynolds, Joy Mack, Marcus Powell, Joe Speare and Chris Tummings.

Rice to Appear in Brief Encounter
Emma Rice, the play's director, will appear as Myrtle in Kneehigh's Brief Encounter: Live on Stage for four weeks only from 21st July until 18th August at the Cinema on the Haymarket. Last week the production announced a four month extension until 19th October.

Phantom Extends
The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's) has announced yet another extension of its booking period, to 25th April, 2009.

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©Peter Lathan 2008