When you see around 200 different shows, you’re bound to come across a few duff ones, but I’m pleased to say that nearly all of the bad shows I saw can be found in this post.
It wasn’t all good: Debbie Gilpin recalls her 12 least favourite shows of #theatre2017
When you see around 200 different shows, you’re bound to come across a few duff ones, but I’m pleased to say that nearly all of the bad shows I saw can be found in this post.
NEWS: Young Vic’s West End Cat on a Hot Tin Roof will be screened via NT Live in February
The Young Vic’s West End production of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, currently playing to capacity each night at the Apollo Theatre, will be broadcast to cinemas around the world on 22 February 2018, marking the fourth collaboration between the Young Vic and National Theatre Live.
Terri’s non-#EdFringe theatre diary: Salad Days, Mrs Orwell, Boom & Cowboy Rufus
It’s not just umbrella festival programmes that keep myself and other London theatregoers busy in August. Here are some thoughts (and connections) on the other plays and musicals I’ve seen over the past week that are worth a look: Mrs Orwell, King Cowboy Rufus Rules the Universe, Boom and Salad Days.
CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF – West End
There’s certainly the attempt to raise the temperature – Andrews has his leads Jack O’Connell and Sienna Miller in various states of undress for large swathes of the play – but for all the skin exposed, there’s little sexuality between Tennessee Williams’ central couple.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at the Apollo Theatre
Benedict Andrews directs this new Young Vic production of Tennessee Williams’ classic Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, starring Sienna Miller and Jack O’Connell at the West End’s Apollo Theatre until 7 October 2017. What have critics been saying?
NEWS: More cast announced for Young Vic’s West End Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, TICKETS ONSALE
Lisa Palfrey will play Big Mama alongside Sienna Miller, Jack O’Connell and, as Big Daddy, Colm Meaney in Benedict Andrews Young Vic West End production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
Top 5 stars treading the West End boards
Here’s a guide to some stars who are going to be treading the boards in the West End…
NEWS: Colm Meaney joins Sienna Miller & Jack O’Connell in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, TICKETS ONSALE
Colm Meaney will join Sienna Miller and Jack O’Connell to play Big Daddy in the Young Vic production of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof directed by Benedict Andrews in the West End.
NEWS: Sienna Miller & Jack O’Connell lead Young Vic’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in West End
Sienna Miller and Jack O’Connell will lead the cast as Maggie and Brick in Benedict Andrews’ Young Vic production of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof which will begin previews in the West End at the Apollo Theatre on 13 July 2017. With press night on 24 July, this strictly limited twelve-week run is booking to 7 October 2017.
Two Jacks – Review
***
Written and directed by Bernard Rose
Jack Huston
There’s a stylish cast and concept to Two Jacks, out this month from Bernard Rose.
Taking an idea from Tolstoy’s Russian fable The Two Hussars, Rose pitches his tale straight into a genre of updated Hollywood noir. It makes for neat conceit and in a movie set entirely in and around Tinseltown, the atmosphere Rose that creates of smoke filled poker parlours, bare-fisted brawls and beautiful women casually seduced, could be straight out of Raymond Chandler.
There is a hint of real life imitating the art on screen, for as the story tells of fictional wild film director Jack Hussar seducing the beautiful Diana (a sizzlingly demure performance from Sienna Miller) and who, years later sees his son Jack Jnr return to become entangled with Diana’s daughter, Rose casts Danny Huston to play the older man, with his nephew Jack playing the younger man. That both men are direct descendants of legendary director John Huston contributes to the story’s grit and that Danny Huston, in both appearance and demeanour bears more than a passing resemblance to Jeremy Clarkson, only adds to the tale.
Two Jacks’ womanising, gambling, alcohol and thundery rainstorms are timeless nods to Hollywood’s darker side and with Jacqueline Bissett playing the (much older) Diana many years into the plot, the classy credentials of Rose’s cast are only enhanced.
Whilst the movie is mostly chic and the acting a delight, Rose is let down by occasional script naiveties and also a budgetary constraint (I guess ?) that sees him not only write and direct, but also photograph and edit the movie too. That’s unfortunate for there are moments of poor continuity, lighting and focus-pulling, that would never have made it out of a decent film school, let alone form part of a commercial release.
Bringing the picture straight out to the DVD and download markets after playing the festivals a couple of years ago is probably wise, with Two Jacks making for a wonderfully romantic movie, beautifully performed.
Out on DVD and download 29th JuneTrailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4qMZy3wFwg&feature=youtu.be
VIDEO, pics and press pass: Back to the 70s with Damian Lewis and John Goodman in American Buffalo
As Rolls Royce productions go, they don’t get much better than this. Homegrown screen and stage star Damian Lewis returning the stage after a six-year absence, and for the first time since Homeland made him a mega mega international star (after seeing him in this and Band of Brothers, my nephews in Chicago simply refuse […]