McGregor Returns to Stage as Little Malcolm
Date: 9 October 1998
Trainspotting film star Ewan McGregor will star next month in a production of David Halliwell's 1960s farce, Little Malcolm and His Struggle against the Eunuchs, in the 174-seat Hampstead Theatre in north London. The play, which runs 18 November to 2 January 1999 (with previews from 12 November, is directed by McGregor's uncle, actor Denis Lawson.
It is winter 1965 and Malcolm Scrawdyke, suspended from art school for being a disruptive influence, is plotting his revenge on the world. With three loyal acolytes, he forms the Party of Dynamic Erection and his icy cold studio becomes their headquarters. Their collective aim is to overthrow authority and establish Scrawdyke as leader. But as the fantasies become more potent, Scrawdyke falls victim to his own scheming.
Little Malcolm and His Struggle against the Eunuchs was David Halliwell's first stage play. When it was first produced, at the West End's Garrick Theatre in 1966, it became an instant classic; in 1973, it was made into a feature film. Halliwell also authored numerous stage and radio plays including KD Dufford, The House and, most recently, Bird for BBC Radio.
Ewan McGregor returns to the stage for the first time since 1993 to play Malcolm in the Hampstead production. The Scottish actor has become best known for his leading roles in films such as the BAFTA award-winning Shallow Grave, Trainspotting, A Life Less Ordinary, Brassed Off, Velvet Goldmine and, most recently, The Eye of the Beholder. His stage credits include Lipstick on Your Collar (Guildhall) and What the Butler Saw (Salisbury Playhouse).
McGregor is joined in the cast by Sean Gilder, Lou Gish, Joe Duttine and Nicholas Tennant. Gilder has appeared most recently on television in Hornblower and Far from the Madding Crowd. Tennant's recent stage credits include Sugar, Sugar and Love and Understanding (Bush Theatre). Gish's theatre work includes Marlene, Design for Living and Les Parents Terribles.
Director Denis Lawson is best known as an actor in television and films such as Local Hero. As an actor, his theatre credits include Mr Cinders, Volpone (Almeida), Oleanna (Duke of York's) and the Barrymore award-winning Lust (Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia). He wrote and directed the film The Base Player.
Booking for Little Malcolm and His Struggle against the Eunuchs opens 26 October 1998.
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