Cast: Tennant & Tate Much Ado, Mamet Double
Full casting has been announced for Josie Rourke‘s upcoming production of Much Ado About Nothing which opens at the Wyndham’s Theatre on 1 June (previews from 16 May) starring David Tennant and Catherine Tate. The production will play a limited season to 3 September 2011.
Much Ado marks Tennant’s first return to the theatrical stage since his Royal Shakespeare Company Hamlet in 2008. When the production, and it’s large Doctor Who fan following transferred to London that December Tennant was forced to miss most of the run due to serious back injury. His shortage of London performances meant he was ineligible for an Olivier Award, though the production did win the Theatre Event of the Year and Best Shakespearean Production prizes at the Whatsonstage.com Awards.
Much Ado About Nothing is presented in the West End by Sonia Friedman Productions. It has designs by Rob Jones with lighting by Peter Mumford, music by Michael Bruce and sound by Emma Laxton.
Currently playing at the Wyndham’s the West End transfer of the Royal Court’s Clybourne Park continues until 7 May 2011. Bruce Norris‘ provocative satire, which is directed by Dominic Cooke, has dominated the recent awards season winning the South Bank, Critics’ Circle and Olivier Awards for Best New Play.
A rarely performed double-bill of David Mamet plays Lakeboat and Prairie du Chien will be performed at the Arcola Theatre from 15 April (previews from 12 April) to 7 May 2011.
Lakeboat tells of ship worker Dale’s first day on board the Lakeboat. The tall tale of his predecessor’s disappearance whips through the crew, as Dale discovers their mundane lives and fantastic dreams.
The cast for the production has been announced as Nigel Cooke (Joe), Ed Hughes (Collins), Chris Jarman (Pierman), Rory Keenan (Fred), Mark Lewis (Fireman), Roy Sampson (Skippy), Steven Webb (Dale) and Nigel Whitmey (Stan).
Prairie du Chien takes place in a claustrophobic railroad car rolling through the night. Violent tales of obsession, jealousy and death unfold as passengers while away their long journey across the prairie.
The company, who play across both productions, has been announced as Nigel Cooke (A Storyteller), Ed Hughes (A Listener), Chris Jarman (A Porter), William Jeffs (A Listener’s Son), Rory Keenan (A Gin Player) and Nigel Whitmey (A Card Dealer).
Both plays are directed by Abbey Wright who was associate at the Donmar from 2008 to 2009. Since then her credits have included The Ones That Flutter at Theatre 503, Hidden Glory at The Lowry and on tour, The Winter’s Tale for Theatr Mwldan and readings and workshops at the Hampstead, Old Vic and Theatre Royal Haymarket. Her other associate credits include work on Jonathan Kent‘s The Country Wife and Danny Boyle’s current National Theatre production of Frankenstein
A Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, David Mamet is best known for Speed-the-Plow and American Buffal. A two-time Academy Award nominee for The Verdict and Wag the Dog, his other film credits include The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Untouchables and We’re No Angels.
The double-bill is designed by Helen Goddard with lighting by Emma Chapman and composition and music by Tristan Parkes.
