Dateline 30th July, 2000
Hinds to star in ITV Hardy drama
Ciaran Hinds is to star in a new ITV two-part adaptation of Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge. He will play Michael Henchard, the central character, and his daughter Elizabeth-Jane will be played by Jhodi May. Filming starts in August and it is hoped that the drama will be broadcast over the Christmas period.
Jacobi back in the West End this autumn
Derek Jacobi is to star in a new Hugh Whitemore play God Only Know in the autumn, although no theatre or production dates are known. It will be four years since Jacobi last appeared in the West End.
Spend moving on?
According to "The Stage", negotiations are underway to transfer the musical Spend Spend Spend to the Queen's when it closes on 5th August. It is currently playing at the Piccadilly. The Queen's has been dark since Alan Bennett's Lady in the Van closed last month.
Royal Court September - December season
The Royal Court has announced its productions for the last four months of the year:
Archer play expected in November
Jeffrey Archer's play Accused, in which he will also perform, is now expected to open in the West End in November. Also in the cast will be Edward Petherbridge, Tony Britton and Edward de Souza.
Closing soon
Peter Nichols' Passion Play (at the Comedy) and the Birmingham Rep's production of Baby Doll (at the Albery) will both close on 26th August.
Hard Times extends
The Dickens-based musical Hard Times has extended its run at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, by four months, until 25th November.
Another Dickens on the way
Simon Callow's one-man show The Mystery of Charles Dickens, written by Peter Ackroyd, will open at the Comedy on 6th September after the current regional tour.
Holme replaces Hawthorne in Ripper film
Ian Holm is to replace Nigel Hawthorne in a £30m film about Jack the Ripper when the latter had to withdraw because of illness. The film is currently in pre-production in Prague.
Jones and Beesley head for Hollywood
Former footballer turned actor Vinnie Jones is to star as the villain in a John Travolta-produced Hollywood film, Swordfish. Jones, whose first film was Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels is rumoured to have been offered £2m.
Max Beesley is to play the love interest in singer Mariah Carey's first film, All That Glitters.
Sheriff Penelope
Actress Penelope Keith has been appointed High Sheriff of Surrey, an unpaid one-year job which involves mainly ceremonial duties, although the High Sheriff has a statutory duty to collect debts and enforce writs on behalf of the courts. She will take up the post in 2002.