Hi Theatregoers
I’m aware that musicals are not everyone’s cup of tea and that many of you enjoy plays / comedies just as much. Never fear… the coming Autumn months in London brings a great selection from the Russian angst of Anton Chekhov to British playwright Peter Nichols.
To start off we have Quatermaine’s Terms by Simon Gray starring one of the UK’s best loved comics – Rowan Atkinson, who recently brought the house down at the London Olympic Opening Ceremony. The play is a light hearted look at the lives of 7 teachers – one of them being St John Quatermaine (Atkinson) who is, in short terms, useless. Quatermaine’s Terms opens at the Wyndhams on 23rd January 2013 after a national tour.
A stellar cast of Ken Stott, Anna Friel and Samuel West will appear in Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya. Adapted by Christopher Hampton and directed by Lindsay Posner (Abigail’s Party) it opens at the Vaudeville on 2 November.
Back to comedy with Peter Nicol’s army farce Privates on Parade starring Simon Russell Beale as the cross dressing Captain in charge of a Song & Dance Unit in South East Asia during the second world war. It was the inspiration for the 1970s BBC series “It Ain’t Half Hot Mum” and opens at the Noel Coward on 1st December.
There’s also the wonderful bitter sweet drama Goodnight Mr Tom coming to the Phoenix Theatre from 22nd November about an evacuee in the 2nd world war who is sent to live with a grumpy old man. Oliver Ford stars.
So there you have it – something for everyone.
Have a great Thursday
Sara