Sean Bean Set for Summer Macbeth???

An official announcement is expected soon about a new production of Shakespeare's Macbeth, with film star Sean Bean in the title role. The play will be a Sonia Friedman production on behalf of the Ambassador Theatre Group and is on schedule for a brief regional tour this summer ahead of a West End transfer. While it's expected to come into one of ATG's own London venues - which include Albery, Piccadilly, Comedy, Phoenix, New Ambassadors, Duke of York's, Wyndham's and Whitehall Theatres - the fact that Edward Hall is signed up to direct has raised speculation of the Theatre Royal Haymarket as a possible venue. Edward, son of Sir Peter, has directed numerous Shakespeare productions for the RSC and for his own Propeller Theatre company, and he and his father seem to have a semi-permanent family residency at the Haymarket. Following his all-star revival of The Royal Family, Dad opens his all-star Lady Windermere's Fan. It's followed by Edward's Propeller production of Rose Rage, a two-part adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry VI trilogy, which runs for a limited six-week season from 16 June 2002. Bean is best-known for his TV appearances in the long-running Sharpe mini-series and for his big screen roles in films such as Patriot Games, Ronin, Goldeneye and The Lord of the Rings.

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