Archive for the ‘News’ Category
Friday, April 11th, 2008
The UK premiere of Neil LaBute’s comedy Fat Pig is set feature a cast rich in comic credentials when it opens at the Trafalgar Studio 1 in May. Kris Marshall made his name playing gormless son Nick in the equally gormless BBC comedy My Family, while Robert Webb is one half of Mitchell and Webb of PeepShow and That Mitchell And Webb Look fame. Also joining the cast is Joanna Page from the multi award-winning Gavin And Stacey.
American writer/director LaBute is to direct his play, which was first seen off-Broadway in 2004, when it premieres in London. Partially inspired by LaBute’s own experience on the Atkins diet, it follows a friendship turned love affair between Tom (Webb) and larger lady Helen (Ella Smith). It is only so long, though, before the insults start to fly from Tom’s colleagues Carter (Marshall) and Jeannie (Page).
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Friday, April 11th, 2008
The National Theatre has launched a new scheme offering young people aged 15 to 19 the chance to see productions at the South Bank venue for a fiver.
Members of the new “Entry Pass” scheme are entitled to buy one £5 ticket per production to any show in the National’s three auditoria. The scheme also offers “Mates Rates”, allowing Entry Pass members to buy tickets for up to two friends to the same performance for £7.50 each.
This latest initiative by the National is a further attempt to encourage theatregoing among young people. Entry Pass was announced by the National Theatre along with details of its summer productions, which include a new Michael Frayn play, a drama about the Suffragette movement, and the London premiere of The Pitmen Painters, a new play by the writer of Billy Elliot.
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Monday, March 31st, 2008
Actor and theatre director Kevin Spacey has criticised the BBC for airing theatre talent shows such as “Any Dream Will Do” and “I’d Do Anything” in detriment to the rest of the theatrical offerings.
Spacey said he felt the talent shows were “essentially a 13-week promotion for a musical – where’s our 13-week programme?” Spacey is the artistic director at the Old Vic theatre in London.
The BBC replied that its shows were not “unduly promotional”.”These Saturday night shows celebrate musical theatre generally, not just one West End show,” said Elaine Bedell, controller of entertainment commissioning.
“The BBC is committed to finding and supporting new musical talent as part of its longstanding commitment as a patron of the arts.”
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