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Opening: Plough, Stars, the Bard’s Lear & Macbeth

Amongst the major shows opening in London this week are:

OPENING TUESDAY, 18 January 2005 (previews from 13 January), is the Royal Shakespeare Company’s most recent staging of King Lear, starring Corin Redgrave as the ruler and father of three unruly daughters. Bill Alexander’s production of the Bard’s tragedy continues the RSC’s residency at the West End’s Albery Theatre, having transferred from Stratford, in the company’s season of Tragedies (See News, 15 Jul 2004). It’s limited season continues until 5 February.

OPENING WEDNESDAY, 19 January 2005 (previews from 18 January), the Abbey Theatre Dublin’s revival of Sean O’Casey’s The Plough and the Stars transfers to the Barbican Theatre. The new production of one of Ireland’s classic political dramas, which received its world premiere at the Abbey in 1926, formed part of the venue’s centenary celebrations last year. The four-acter follows the needs and aspirations of a group of neighbours in war-torn Dublin in 1916. It’s directed by Abbey artistic director Ben Barnes and runs in London until 29 January.

OPENING THURSDAY, 20 January 2005 (previews from 13 January), Simon Russell Beale stars as Shakespeare’s most famous anti-hero in Macbeth at north London’s Almeida Theatre (See News 17 December 2004). The play, in which ambition and the supernatural lead to murder and treachery, is directed by John Caird, who previously directed Beale in both Hamlet and Humble Boy at the National Theatre. Emma Fielding plays Lady Macbeth. The limited season continues until 5 March.

- by Caroline Ansdell

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