Marsh Reunites With Redmayne for Later Premiere
Matthew Marsh will reunite with Eddie Redmayne (pictured) in the world premiere of Christopher Shinn’s US election drama Now or Later, which runs from 11 September to 18 October 2008 (previews from 3 September) at the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, directed by artistic director Dominic Cooke.
Marsh and Redmayne co-starred, along with Jonathan Pryce, in the 2004 UK premiere of Edward Albee’s controversial play involving bestiality, The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?, at the Almeida Theatre and in the West End, for which Redmayne scooped Newcomer prizes at both the Evening Standard and Critics’ Circle Awards.
In the lead-up to the real contest between Barack Obama and John McCain in November, Shinn’s new play explores the tension between liberalism and fundamentalism in American politics. On election night, things are looking rosy for the Democratic party. But as the likely President-elect (Marsh), his wife, advisors and 20-year-old son watch the results roll in, controversial photos of John Jr (Redmayne) are gathering momentum on the internet and the press team are working on damage limitation. Father and son must reach an agreement.
Redmayne followed The Goat with screen success in the likes of Elizabeth – The Golden Age, The Good Shepherd, Saving Grace and The Other Boleyn Girl and also appeared on stage in Hecuba at the Donmar Warehouse. Marsh’s many credits include, most recently, A Prayer for My Daughter, Glengarry Glen Ross, The Overwhelming and The Lightning Play on stage and Spooks and The Commander on television.
The pair are joined in the Now or Later by Nancy Crane (The Sweetest Swing in Baseball, The Price) as the candidate’s wife, Domhnall Gleeson (Tony Award-nominated for the Broadway production of The Lieutenant of Inishmore) as John Jr’s best friend, Adam James and Pamela Nomvete.
American dramatist Christopher Shinn has had four previous plays staged at the Court: Where Do We Live, Four, Other People and, most recently, 2006’s Dying City, which was this year nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in the US. The production is designed by Hildegard Bechtler, with lighting by Charles Balfour and sound by Ian Dickinson.
– by Terri Paddock
** DON’T MISS our Whatsonstage.com Outing to NOW OR LATER on 24 September 2008 – including a FREE drink & our EXCLUSIVE post-show Q&A with Dominic Cooke & members of the cast – all for just £25! – click here for more info! **
