Opening: Who's the Daddy?, Liaisons, Fever, OzDate: 25 July 2005
Among the major shows opening in London this week are:
OPENING TONIGHT, Monday 25 July 2005 (previews from 14 July), Who's the Daddy?, inspired by David Blunkett’s headline-grabbing affair with Spectator publisher Kimberly Quinn last year, receives its world premiere at Islington’s Kings Head Theatre (See News, 27 Jun 2005). In addition to the Blunkett/Quinn coupling, the piece recounts two other adulterous affairs which earned the political weekly its new nickname, The Sextator: between editor and Conservative MP Boris Johnson and contributor Petronella Wyatt, and between writer Rod Liddle and the magazine’s receptionist (whose name has been changed for legal reasons).
Who's the Daddy? is written by the Spectator’s own theatre critics Toby Young and Lloyd Evans with additional writing by Jeremy Lloyd, best known for co-creating the TV sitcoms Are You Being Served and ’Allo, ‘Allo. Directed by Tamara Harvey (who co-directed One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in the West End), it will have a limited run to 28 August 2005.
OPENING WEDNESDAY, 27 July 2005 (previews from 21 July), Adam Cooper’s new dance-drama adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos' 1782 novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses, about the sexually fuelled power struggles of the French aristocracy, receives its UK premiere at Sadler’s Wells (See News, 10 Mar 2005). The former Royal Ballet and AMP Swan Lake star choreographs, co-directs and stars, with his wife Sarah Wildor. The piece is co-directed by its designer Lez Brotherston. Its limited season continues until 14 August.
** DON’T MISS the chance to save £10 on Les Liaisons Dangereuses – offer valid until 28 July 2005 only – click here for details! **
ALSO ON WEDNESDAY (preview 26 July), Wallace Shawn’s provocative one-man travelogue, The Fever, opens at Battersea’s Theatre 503. The show is directed by young director Joe Hill-Gibbins as part of the Young Vic’s Direct Action season to provide challenging opportunities for young directors. The Fever runs until 7 August 2005.
ALSO ON WEDNESDAY, ‘killer soprano’ Rosemary Ashe – who, amongst her myriad musical credits, created the role of Carlotta in The Phantom of the Opera - is performing a cabaret show at the Prince of Wales Theatre’s Delfont Room (See The Goss, 4 Jul 2005). The actress, currently appearing as formidable nanny Miss Andrew in Mary Poppins, will be singing seldom-heard show tunes as well as some favourites.
OPENING THURSDAY, 28 July 2005, Australian circus troupe Circus Oz returns to the Royal Festival Hall for a limited season to 21 August 2005. Expect tight wire walking and human fountain statues.
- by Caroline Ansdell
Related Content
