Bristol Bust Cancels Branagh’s Ivanov for Good???

Plans for Kenneth Branagh to star in and direct a new production of Chekhov’s Ivanov have been dashed by last week’s abrupt decision by Bristol Old Vic to close the theatre for two years from 1 August (See News, 11 May 2007). Though as yet unannounced, the production was scheduled to be staged in November with Branagh confirmed to play the lead role and likely direct. It would have been the first time Branagh had directed Chekhov for the stage since his Renaissance Theatre Company production of Uncle Vanya in 1991. A spokesperson for Branagh told Whatsonstage.com that the production had been on the cards for a number of weeks but would no longer go ahead at Brisol or anywhere else. She said Branagh currently had no other plans to direct for the stage. Branagh last appeared on stage in the National’s production of Edmond in 2003, for which he won the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers’ Choice Award for Best Actor, and in Richard III at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre in 2002.

Got some goss? Contact gossip@whatsonstage.com

Related Content