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Boeing-Boeing Extends, Flies in Ellison & Oberman

Boeing-Boeing has extended its booking period at the Comedy Theatre by several months to 5 January 2008, where it was previously booking to 20 October 2007. In addition, Jennifer Ellison and Tracy-Ann Oberman will be joining the cast as Gloria, the American air hostess, and Gretchen, the German air hostess, respectively from 1 October.

Bernard, a successful architect living in Paris, thought he could easily cope with his three air hostess fiancées. It was all a question of timetables and his reliable, long-suffering housekeeper Bertha who reluctantly has the role of romantic air-traffic controller. When old school chum Robert arrives, Bernard relishes the chance to show his wide-eyed friend his first-class operation at work. Unfortunately, schedules change, flights are delayed and a new turbo-charged Boeing aircraft is introduced: chaos ensues in this hysterical whirl of mayhem and matchmaking.

Ellison began her performing career playing Emily in C4’s long running Soap Brookside. Her other television credits include New Street Law and Hotel Babylon. In the theatre she has played Roxie Hart in Chicago both in the West End and on Tour. Her film work includes The Cottage and The Phantom of the Opera.

Oberman’s theatre credits include Edmond for the National Theatre, The Oak Tree and School Play for Soho Theatre, Loot and Saturday, Sunday and Monday both for Chichester Festival Theatre, Love for Love for Hampstead Theatre and The Changeling, The Beggar’s Opera and Macbeth for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

The current cast of Boeing-Boeing is Adrian Dunbar, Doon Mackichan, Amy Nuttall, Rhea Perlman, Elena Roger and Neil Stuke. Kevin McNally will play Bernard from 3 - 29 September (See News, 2 Aug 2007). When the cast changes on 1 October, Elena Roger will continue in the role of Italian Air Hostess Gabriella and Neil Stuke as Bernard’s old school chum Robert. Further casting is to be announced.

When it premiered in the Sixties, Marc Camoletti’s play, which is translated from the French by Beverley Cross, held the world record for the longest-running comedy in the West End, playing over 2,000 performances before transferring to Broadway. This production, opened on 15 February (previews from 3 February), is directed by Matthew Warchus and designed by Rob Howell, with lighting by Hugh Vanstone. It’s presented by Sonia Friedman Productions, Act Productions, Matthew Byam Shaw, Robert G Bartner and Bob Boyett.

- by Tom Atkins

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