Opening: Black Watch, Women, Diver, Divas & Slam
Amongst the major openings in London this week are:
OPENING TONIGHT, Monday 23 June 2008 (previews from 19 June), Soho Theatre presents The Diver, a new collaboration from Japanese director Hideki Noda, writer Colin Teevan and actress Kathryn Hunter (See News, 9 May 2008). The play combines the 1,000-year-old Japanese Tales of Genji, traditional Noh theatre and a real-life murder case in which a woman killed her lover and his family. In the cast, Kathryn Hunter is joined by Glyn Pritchard and Harry Gostelow. It runs at the Soho for a limited season until 12 July 2008.
OPENING TUESDAY, 24 June 2008 (previews from 18 June),
Amy Booth-Steel, the first Nancy hopeful voted out of the BBC’s I’d Do Anything, stars with Nicole Faraday in Romy Padonvano’s new musical comedy All Bob’s Women at the West End’s Arts Theatre (See Photos, 4 Jun 2008). Sam Oatley is Casanova Bob, determined to seduce five very different women. The premiere production, directed by Russell Labey, runs until 24 August.
** DON’T MISS the chance to see All Bob’s Women for only £15 – offer ends 17 July 2008 – click here for more info!! **
ALSO ON TUESDAY, Tamara Harvey directs the world premiere of Lloyd Evans’ tennis comedy Grand Slam at the King’s Head Theatre, where it runs until 27 June 2008 as part of a season of in-house productions (See News, 28 Feb 2008).
ALSO ON TUESDAY (previews from 20 June 2008), the National Theatre of Scotland’s multi award-winning 2006 Edinburgh Fringe hit, Gregory Burke’s Black Watch, at last receives its London premiere with a run at the Barbican Theatre until 28 July as part of an international tour (See News, 22 Aug 2007). Based on interviews conducted by the writer with former soldiers of the legendary Scottish regiment who served in Iraq, Black Watch reveals what it means to be part of the “war on terror” and what it means to make the journey home again.
OPENING WEDNESDAY, 25 June 2008 (previews from 19 June), Peter Schafuss’ new dance spectacular Divas opens at the Apollo Theatre, celebrating musical icons Edith Piaf, Marlene Dietrich and Judy Garland. The show focuses on the art and individuality of the three women through dance performed to songs that have become synonymous with each – such as Piaf’s “Non, je ne regrette rien” and Garland’s “Over the Rainbow”. It runs for a limited season until 5 July (See News, 4 Apr 2008).
ALSO ON WEDNESDAY (previews from 24 June 2008), Yellow Earth Theatre brings the premiere of Paul Sirett’s new play Running the Silk Road to the Barbican Pit for five days after a regional tour.
OPENING FRIDAY (previews from 24 June 2008), Raz Shaw directs Torn, a new play by Femi Oguns on the subject of inter-racial conflict amongst black communities. The cast features the playwright, as well as Jocelyn Jee Esien, best known for her BBC sketch show Little Miss Jocelyn. It runs until 2 August 2008.
– by Theo Bosanquet
