Blethyn and McDiarmid return to Royal Exchange
Two stars of stage of screen; Brenda Blethyn (left) and Ian McDiarmid are returning to the Royal Exchange as part of the theatre’s spring-summer 2008 season.
Blethyn plays the role of Amanda Whigfield in the Tennessee Williams classic, The Glass Menagerie, from Wednesday, April 9, to Saturday, May 24, next year. Celebrated stage actor Ian McDiarmid, who was once an artistic director of the Royal Exchange stars in The Studio from March 12-April 5 in the world premiere of Jonah And Otto by Robert Holman.
The season opener is The Children’s Hour, Lillian Hellman’s controversial drama of prejudice and paranoia in a small community in America after a pupil accuses her teachers of an illicit affair. Written in 1934, this is a play of intense drama and passion. Audrey Hepburn and Shirley Maclaine starred in the film version. Sarah Frankcom directs and the play runs from Wednesday March 5 to Saturday April 5.
Tennessee Williams’ classic featuring Blethyn is directed by the Exchange’s artistic director Braham Murray.
The bloody Jacobean drama, The Revenger’s Tragedy, plays from Wednesday, May 28, until Saturday, June 21. Henry V diurector Jonathan Moore takes the reins here.
Continuing his directorial flair for comedy, Greg Hersov directs Hay Fever, Noel Coward’s bubbly comedy about the clash between the conventional and the unconventional over tea, dinner and breakfast at a weekend party in the country (Wednesday, June 25-Saturday, August 2).
Alongside McDiarmid’s return, the second Studio production is Dr Korczak’s Example by acclaimed children author David Greig. The play brings to life the true story of the head teacher who ran a school against the odds in the Warsaw ghetto. It is directed by Amy Leach and runs from June 4 until June 21.
For more information contact the Royal Exchange box office on 0161 833 9833.