Skins Star Gets Stage Debut in Trafalgar Teen Play

The autumn 2008 season in Trafalgar Studios 2, the smaller 100-seater in ATG’s two auditoria complex on Whitehall, will comprise two new plays, the Perfect Pitch new musicals showcase and a Harry Potter return for Christmas.

First up, Sarah Miles (Oscar nominated for Ryan’s Daughter) and Natalie Casey (Fame, The Wedding Singer on stage, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps on screen) star in the European premiere of Lisa Kron’s 2006 Broadway comedy Well from 10 to 27 September (previews from 4 September). Lisa, a New York performance artist, was sick and then she got well. Her neighbourhood was sick and then it got well. It’s as simple as that – or is it? The new UK production is directed by Eve Leigh, designed by Helen Goddard and presented by Henry Filloux-Bennett with Alex Segal.

Aimee-Ffion Edwards (pictured), best known as Sketch from E4’s teen drama Skins, will make her first West End appearance in Leo Richardson’s new play about what it is to be a teenager, SH*T-M*X, which will run from 30 September to 25 October 2008.

Raggedy Anne is gagging to go out with LB, but he has a few guilty secrets. Dirty Debbie isn’t really helping matters; all she’s concerned about is finishing her first erotic novel. Maybe Bent Ben will find out what’s wrong. And will anyone catch the eye of the elusive Harry the Hottie? Samantha Potter directs the CurvingRoad production, which also stars Jay Taylor, Steven Webb (The History Boys), Cassie Atkinson and author Leo Richardson.

After two years at Fringe venue Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate (See News, 1 May 2008), the third annual Perfect Pitch showcase – supported for a second year by Whatsonstage.com – graduates to the West End, running from 25 to 29 November 2008 at Trafalgar 2. Six new musicals will be on offer, with 45-minute presentations of two shows at each showing, performed by an array of West End performers.

Finally, there’s another chance to see all seven Harry Potter books in 70 minutes, with Potted Potter – The Unauthorised Harry Experience back from 4 December 2008 (previews from 2 December) to 3 January 2009, following a sell-out season last year. Comic double act Dan and Jeff take on the ultimate challenge, with the help of endless costumes, songs, props, and some Hogwarts magic.

The Studio 2 productions runs concurrently with the programme in the Studio 1 main house, where Neil LaBute’s Fat Pig finishes on 6 September, before transferring to the Comedy Theatre, and is followed by the European premiere of Andrew Upton’s Australian comedy Riflemind, which runs from 18 September 2008 (previews from 15 September) to 3 January 2009, directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman (See News, 8 Aug 2008).

– by Terri Paddock