Mendes Chooses Whitby Play Over Bard
Date: 8 May 2000
Mendes Chooses Whitby Play Over Bard Uber-director Sam Mendes has announced a dramatic change of plans for his return to stage productions following the success of his first film, American Beauty. Instead of the planned Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, scheduled for September and for which casting had already begun, Mendes has decided to premiere a new play by a relatively unknown author.
To the Green Fields Beyond by Nick Whitby is a tank drama set during World War I, at the time of the September 1916 Somme offensive. Army generals believed that this new weapon of war could break the deadlock of the trenches war, but most of the tanks seized up as a result of mechanical breakdowns. The play centres around one tank's multi-racial crew.
In an interview with the Guardian newspaper, Mendes commented on the change of plans. 'Shakespeare can wait,' he said. 'You have to take advantage of a good and exciting new play like this. It is not every day they land on your desk.'
Mendes surprised many last month when, after scooping five Oscars, including Best Director for American Beauty, he turned down several multi-million dollar offers to stay in Hollywood and follow up his celluloid success. Instead, he opted to return to London and the 250-seat Donmar, saying that he was absolutely 'desperate' to get back to theatre directing. He intends to direct at least one new production a year at the Donmar.
Other rumours this week have Mendes teaming up with Hollywood stars Nicole Kidman, who starred in his production of The Blue Room at the Donmar and on Broadway, and her husband Tom Cruise in a new production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, but Donmar spokespeople say these rumours are unsubstantiated.
To the Green Fields Beyond will open this September following the Divas at the Donmar season.
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