That was August in theatre land - news & castings that caught my eye plus hits, misses and celeb spots
01/09/2018
August was dominated by Edinburgh for me but the London theatre wheels were still turning; here's my round up of my favourite bits of news, my theatre hits and misses and few celeb spots...(let me know if I missed anything while I was north of the border).
Sally Field and Bill Pullman in All My Sons, Old Vic - yep Hollywood comes London theatreland next year in a co-production with Headlong (Jeremy Herrin directs). No dates yet but already I can't wait.
National Theatre's artistic director Rufus Norris steps into the breach - there has been a spate of understudies and theatre staff saving the day when actors are indisposed but last night's performance of Home, I'm Darling saw Norris take to the stage to play Jonny for Richard Harrison.
Foxfinder full cast - You may have missed my July round-up (I did) which (would have) mentioned that Iwan Rheon and Heida Reed had been cast in Foxfinder at the Ambassadors Theatre, well joining them is Paul Nicholls and Bryony Hannah. It opens for preview on September 6.
The Wild Duck, Almeida - Fans of Robert Icke rejoice, he returns to the Almeida with a production of Ibsen's The Wild Duck. Speculation has already started about who will be in the cast. Opens October 15.
Douglas Booth and Clifford Samuel at Trafalgar Studios - The two will star in the European premiere of EuropeanKen Urban's A Guide for the Homesick in Studio 2 which opens Oct 16. Last saw Booth treading the boards in the superb Speech and Debate last year and Samuel was in the BBC's fab McMafia (yes, I occasionally watch telly).
Theatre hits
From Edinburgh, it'll have to be Queens of Sheba (its run at New Diorama is sold out but try for returns) and The Fishermen which is touring so catch that if you can.
Back in London, I loved Dance National at the Almeida, it's a play about teenage girls that, refreshingly, speaks for women of all ages (full review on its way).
Theatre misses
Not technically August but given I missed July I'm going to mention them here: Exit the King, National Theatre and Allelujah, Bridge Theatre for reasons stated in this blog post.
Celebs at the theatre
Not so much a spot as a chat with Julie Hesmondhalgh - we were stood next to each other in the queue for The Extinction Event in Edinburgh and the queues in Edinburgh were very chatty. Also in Edinburgh, comedian and actor John Thompson was watching Su Pollard in Harpy and one of my Fringe flatmates spotted Ellie Goulding.
Meanwhile, in London, the Mother of dragons (Emilia Clarke) was watching Dance Nation 'with me' at the Almeida and Rhys Ifan’s and I made eye contact in the lobby of the Dorfman after Home, I’m Darling.
I'm sure I've missed one, will add in if I remember.