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Spacey Announces Inaugural Old Vic Season TodayDate: 22 April 2004
At a press conference held at the Old Vic at midday today, Kevin Spacey will announce his inaugural 2004/5 season as artistic director the landmark London and its newly founded Old Vic Theatre Company.
The appointment of Spacey – an actor, best known for his many Hollywood films, who fell in love with the theatre during his multi award-winning run in the 1998 Almeida production of The Iceman Cometh - was announced, in a media frenzy in February 2003 (See News, 5 Feb 2003).
At the time, Spacey promised an "innovative" programme that will include new plays as well as revivals and "Shakespeare on a regular basis". More recent speculation has suggested the opening season may feature a star-studded revival of The Philadelphia Story as well as a new play by Paul Abbott (whose TV credits include State of Play, Clocking Off and Shameless) and the Christmas pantomime Aladdin, with Ian McKellen as Widow Twanky (See The Goss, 19 Apr 2004). There’s also the possibility, though earlier ruled out, that the theatre may house the initial West End run of Stephen Daldry’s screen-to-stage musical Billy Elliot.
When Spacey accepted the appointment last year, he said the company hopes “to draw some of the most exciting talent working in Britain, the United States as well as other countries. We will also dedicate ourselves to the thrill that comes from helping to shape and discover new talents - on both sides of the footlights - as we create a new Old Vic Theatre Company into a place we can all call our home.”
He said then that his decision, as an American, to dedicate himself to a British institution should in no way “be viewed as abandonment of my own country”. He continued: “I am sure there will be those who ask, why isn't this American actor creating a theatre company in his own country, and I would like the opportunity to answer that question in advance. The theatrical tradition in Britain is longer than it is in America and most American actors worth their salt want to come here and prove themselves and face the challenge that the British stage offers. (See News, 5 Feb 2003).”
- by Terri Paddock
For more information on Kevin Spacey’s appointment, the Old Vic & the inaugural season, please see the following:
"Spacey Calls for ACE Funds, Bard Advice & £12 Tix" (See Today’s Other News) "Two Premieres, Twankey McKellen, Story at Old Vic" (See Today’s Other News) "Tabloids Dog Spacey at Old Vic Event???" (See Today’s Goss) "Abbott & Other TV Writers Take to Stage???" (See Today’s Goss) "Spacey Mugged by Mirror Report???" (See The Goss, 19 Apr 2004)
"The World’s Most Famous Theatre?" (See Features, 10 Feb 2003) "Spacey Pledges Old Vic Stars, Shakespeare & More" (See News, 5 Feb 2003) "Hollywood's Spacey Confirms Old Vic Directorship" (See News, 5 Feb 2003)
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