Five plays I'm really looking forward to (and no the one with Nicole Kidman isn't one of them)
27/04/2015
The announcement last week that Nicole Kidman is taking to the London stage 17 years (or something) after her last outing has given rise to lists of must see theatre. Inevitably these lists include equally starry names - Bradley Cooper, Damian Lewis and of course Benedict Cumberbatch.
But, other than BC's Hamlet, none of the plays listed or the celebs attached got me particularly excited (well not excited enough to spend £60 on a ticket anyway) so I decided to draw up my own list. It's been a struggle to narrow it down as I look forward to everything I've booked (what's the point otherwise) but here goes:
1. Hamlet, Barbican
Let's get this one out of the way first. I am excited. I love Hamlet and I've been a fan of BC's since before Sherlock. The supporting cast has only added to the anticipation - Anastasia Hille as Gertrude, Ciaran Hinds as Claudius, Leo Bill as Horatio...
2. The Beaux' Stratagem, National Theatre
It's going to be silly and flamboyant and it has Geoffrey Streatfeild, Sam Barnett and Pippa Bennett Warner in it. Cannot wait.
Studied the play for A-Level and have loved it since I saw it on stage in London on a Sixth Form trip so any production is going to be highly anticipated. Adding to that this has Hugo Weaving in it, he of Elvish ears and Priscilla Queen of the Desert fame. He's quite starry in my eyes but notice he hasn't made it onto the mainstream lists. Beckett is an acquired taste I suppose.
4. Bakkhai, Almeida
No surprises with this one. Ben Whishaw. I'd be excited if he announced he was sitting down to read the phone book for two hours but in this he's playing a vengeful Dionysus (just take a look at his face in the promo pic). And it also has in it @polyg fav Bertie Carvel. We've already dubbed it the Ben and Bertie show. Excited doesn't even come close.
5. A Song From Far Away, Young Vic
This is writing and directing A-list for me: Simon Stephens and Ivo Van Hove. It's an international co-production and as I'm loving everything with a foreign flavour, thanks to Cheek By Jowl's Russian Measure for Measure, then bring it on.