The Almeida Cleans Out & Sells Up???

Who knows what interesting treasures you might find? As the 12-year reign of its joint artistic directors Jonathan Kent and Ian McDiarmid ends, London's Almeida Theatre is getting its house in order. This weekend, Saturday 20 July 2002 at 2pm, it's holding an auction of material held in its Islington rehearsal room at 108 Upper Street, Islington, London N1. Ralph Fiennes’ throne from the Shoreditch set of the 2000 production of Richard II and his sword from the concurrent Coriolanus are two of the more unusual items to go under the hammer. Also up for grabs are the piano (in full working order!) from Platonov and Oliver Ford Davies’ corporate-style desk from King Lear as well as scripts, posters, photo boards and miscellaneous props from years of acclaimed productions. The Almeida company moves back to Islington following its temporary stay in King's Cross, ended this month, which has included its stagings of Platonov and King Lear, plus Faith Healer and the world premieres of Neil LaBute’s The Shape of Things and The Distance from Here. Its home venue has been undergoing a £4 million renovation since December 2000. The transition will be overseen by the Almeida's newly appointed artistic director, former RSC stalwart Michael Attenborough. For further information on the rehearsal room sale, call 0207 226 7432.

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