Louis Moves from Hampstead to Trafalgar, 23 FebDate: 4 February 2005
As previously tipped (See The Goss, 2 Feb 2005), the world premiere production of Losing Louis will transfer direct to the West End this month. Simon Mendes da Costa’s comedy finishes its limited season at north London’s Hampstead Theatre on 19 February 2005 (See News, 9 Dec 2004). It will reopen on 23 February at the West End’s Trafalgar Studios, where it’s initially booking until 25 June 2005.
The entire original cast – featuring Alison Steadman (who, of course, found fame at Hampstead more than 25 years ago in Abigail’s Party), David Horovitch, Jason Durr, Brian Protheroe, Lynda Bellingham, Anita Briem and Emma Cunniffe – will reprise their roles at the new venue.
Losing Louis will mark Hampstead’s first West End transfer since it moved into its new £15.7 million state-of-the-art building at the start of 2003 and current artistic director Anthony Clark took over later that year. During the past two years, the theatre – previously renowned for its successful premieres – has become more associated with bad reviews and financial troubles, which prompted an Arts Council (See News, 18 Dec 2003).
Only Mendes da Costa’s second fully staged play, Losing Louis follows Table for One, his first play, which was staged at London’s fringe The Hen and Chickens in 2001. In the new comedy, secrets that refuse to be buried erupt as family members are brought together to face it out in the bedroom where all the confusion began.
Losing Louis is directed by Robin Lefevre and designed by Liz Ascroft, with lighting by Mick Hughes. The West End transfer is produced by Michael Codron.
Currently at Trafalgar Studios, the Young Vic’s production of Langston Hughes’ musical comedy Simply Heavenly will now finish on 19 February (See News, 2 Feb 2005).
- by Terri Paddock
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