Opening: Heroes, Ducktastic, Mary Stuart & SoupDate: 17 October 2005
Among the major shows opening in London this week are:
OPENING TONIGHT, Monday 17 October 2005 (previews from 13 October), Arnold Wesker’s Chicken Soup with Barley is revived at Kilburn’s Tricycle Theatre in a production from Nottingham Playhouse (See News, 29 Jul 2005). The play, directed by Nottingham artistic director Giles Croft, is based on Wesker’s own experiences growing up in a Jewish family in the London’s East End at the time of the 1930s anti-fascist riots. The political drama – the first of Wesker’s autobiographical trilogy that also included Roots and I’m Talking About Jerusalem - was presented in Nottingham in April 2005, the first professional UK production of the piece in more than 20 years. It runs at the Tricycle until 19 November 2005.
OPENING TUESDAY, 18 October 2005 (previews from 7 October), at the West End’s Wyndham’s Theatre, Richard Griffiths, John Hurt and Ken Stott (pictured) star in the premiere of Heroes, Tom Stoppard’s English language adaptation of Gerald Sibleyras’ French hit Le Vent de Peupliers (See News, 2 Aug 2005). The original play, which revolves around three residents of a French veterans’ hospital, was first seen in Paris two years ago.
ALSO TONIGHT, the legendary Shaolin Monks, a troupe of 25 ordained monks, return to the Peacock Theatre for a season to 12 November 2005, with a show entitled Kung Fu Masters Live.
OPENING WEDNESDAY, 19 October 2005 (previews from 11 October), the delayed opening of the Right Size’s Ducktastic, takes flight for a press performance matinee at the West End’s Albery Theatre (see News, 11 Oct 2005). The show is inspired by Las Vegas illusionists Siegfried and Roy, and reunites Sean Foley and Hamish McColl with director Kenneth Branagh, after their success with the Morecambe and Wise-inspired The Play What I Wrote.
ALSO TONIGHT (previews from 7 October), Janet McTeer and Harriet Walter star in the Donmar Warehouse’s sell-out production of Schiller’s Mary Stuart, transferring to the West End’s Apollo Theatre (See News, 24 Aug 2005). The play marks the first Donmar production to transfer to the commercial West End since Michael Grandage took over from Sam Mendes as artistic director three years ago.
OPENING THURSDAY, 20 October 2005 (preview 19 October), the Young @ Heart Chorus – a troupe of 28 pensioners from Northampton, Massachusetts, who range in age from 73 to 92 – return to London for a short season to 29 October 2005 at the Lyric Hammersmith (See News, 2 Sep 2005). The new Road to Nowhere programme includes songs from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, right through to Radiohead and Outkast.
** DON’T MISS the chance to see Young @ Heart for just £10! – offer ends 22 October 2005 - click here for more details! **
- by Caroline Ansdell
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