Rehearsal Pics: Invisible Man & Master Builder

Ian Talbot’s revival of Ken Hill’s The Invisible Man opens at the Menier Chocolate Factory on 24 November 2010 (previews from 13 November).

A retelling of HG Wells’ classic sci-fi tale, The Invisible Man will incorporate “comedy music hall performance” and illusions by Paul Kieve, whose previous stage credits include The Lord of the Rings and The Witches of Eastwick at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

The cast features Michael Beckley, Gerard Carey, Natalie Casey, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Maria Friedman, Christopher Godwin, Teddy Kempner, John Gordon Sinclair, Jo Stone-Fewings and Gary Wilmot.

Set design is by Paul Farnsworth, costume design by Matthew Wright, lighting by Jason Taylor, music by Steve Edis, sound by Gareth Owen and choreography by Sam Spencer-Lane. The Invisible Man is booking until 13 February 2011.

Across town at the Almeida Theatre, a new staging of Ibsen’s classic The Master Builder opens on 18 November 2010 (previews form 12 November), starring Gemma Arterton and Stephen Dillane.

Directed by Travis Preston using Kenneth McLeish’s translation, the play centres on Halvard Solness (Dillane), who has reached the pinnacle of his career. When Hilde Wangel (Arteton), a
bewitching young woman, arrives to collect a decade-old debt, she
breathes new life into his professional pride. But as Halvard completes his
architectural masterpiece, will Hilde be the Master Builder’s ultimate
downfall?

Joining Arterton and Dillane in the cast are Patrick Godfrey as Knut Brovik, Emma Hamilton as Kaja Fosli, Anastasia Hille as Aline Solness, John Light as Ragnar Brovik and Jack Shepherd as Doctor Herdal. Designs are by Vicki Mortimer with lighting by Paul Pyant and sound by John Leonard.

The Master Builder runs until 8 January 2011.