Almeida Negotiates for Full West End Season

Respected fringe theatre company the Almeida Theatre is preparing for a West End season, according to an article in this week's Stage newspaper. The Company is currently in discussion with Associated Capital Theatres (ACT) to move into one of its venues with a repertory schedule. The speculation follows recent news that the Peter Hall Company, produced by Bill Kenwright, has set up residency at the Piccadilly for a nine-month season of six plays in rep. The success of the likes of Hall, formerly at the Old Vic, and the Royal Court in its temporary West End houses (while its Sloane Square home is renovated) has stirred up West End enthusiasm for repertory, previously considered unviable for commercial theatre. Connections already exist between the West End and the Almeida, whose shows at its home in Islington - such as the current production of Pirandello's Naked starring Juliette Binoche - are invariably box office sell-outs. The Almeida's production of David Hare's latest, The Judas Kiss, starring Liam Neeson, opens at the Playhouse next month and Racine's Phaedra, in a new translation by Ted Hughes and starring Diana Rigg, is expected to transfer to the West End following its premiere at the Malvern Festival Theatre.

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