Wait Until Dark Shuts Early, Chance Delays OpeningDate: 13 November 2003
The revival of Frederick Knott's thriller Wait Until Dark, the first in the West End since the play's 1966 London premiere, has posted early closing notices at the Garrick Theatre. The production opened on 15 October 2003, following previews and a regional run at Windsor, and had been booking up to 28 February 2004. It will now finish on 13 December 2003.
Sam Henderson's innocent offer to deliver a doll to a sick child sparks off a frightening series of events. Three conmen, led by the mysterious Roat will stop at nothing to get the doll's secret cargo, but they aren't prepared for the ingenuity of Sam's blind wife, Susy.
The new production, directed by Joe Harmston, stars Peter Bowles (as Roat) and Saskia Wickham (Susy), who are joined in the cast by Gary Mavers, Robert Fitch, Tony Scannell and Bettrys Jones. It's designed by Paul Farnsworth, with lighting by Nick Richings, and produced by Bill Kenwright.
In Wait Until Dark,
First seen on Broadway in 1966, the play's premiere production starred Lee Remick and Robert Duvall while Marisa Tomei and Quentin Tarantino signed up for the 1998 revival. The first London production ran for two years with Honor Blackman. In 1968, Wait Until Dark was made into a film starring Audrey Hepburn, who was nominated for an Oscar for her performance as Susy. Frederick Knott also wrote Dial M for Murder, which was famously made into a film by Alfred Hitchcock.
Meanwhile, at north London's New End Theatre, the opening of Roger Hall's Take a Chance on Me has been delayed due to a leaking roof in the Hampstead theatre's backstage area. Originally scheduled for tomorrow (Friday 14 November, following previews from 11 November), the press night for the show's six-week season will now be held on 19 November (previews from tonight, 13 November).
In Take a Chance on Me, six Londoners looking for love the second time around are brought together at a speed dating event to plot the course of their lives in just three minutes. The cast, directed by Justin Greene, are Alan Francis, Gwyneth Strong, Helen Lederer, Georgina Hale, Joe McGann, Eric Richard, Patrick Pearson and Candida Gubbins.
- by Terri Paddock
