Kenneth Branagh puts in a surprising masterclass in physical comedy as Ralph, getting big laughs despite spending most of the play unable to speak. He is, as expected, excellent at playing the silky smooth secret agent but his movement and timing is also exceptional and he deploys razor sharp comic timing.
Kenneth Branagh, Rob Brydon, Claudie Blakley, Marcus Fraser, Mark Hadfield and Alex Macqueen make up the cast of the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s new comedy The Painkiller. Directed and adapted by Sean Foley, The Painkiller will be the fifth production in the Plays at the Garrick season and will play from 5 March until 30 April 2016. Foley directs his “dark, yet hilarious” adaptation of Francis Veber’s classic French farce, while Kenneth Branagh and Rob Brydon reprise the roles they played to great acclaim at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre inaugural season. Foley said: “I’m delighted to have the chance to further develop this comedy with the remarkable double act of Kenneth Branagh and Rob Brydon, who, together with the brilliant Mark Hadfield, were a joy to direct in the first production. “I know that they are excited as I am to also be welcoming to our cast the extraordinary talents of Claudie … Read more
Having sold out it’s entire run at the Garrick Theatre, the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company‘s production of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale topped the UK Box Office Charts this week when it grossed £1.1 million at screenings around the country. The Winter’s Tale was screened to 520 cinemas across the UK and 1300 cinemas worldwide. Encore broadcasts will be held across the UK during the Christmas period. The screening of the production beat The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 to claim the top spot. The Winter’s Tale, Shakespeare’s timeless tragicomedy of obsession and redemption, which opened to critical acclaim at London’s Garrick Theatre on 7 November, is reimagined in a new production co-directed by Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh. Judi Dench plays Paulina opposite Kenneth Branagh as Leontes. Kenneth Branagh said: “To be able to celebrate our production of The Winter’s Tale with cinema audiences is a true privilege. I would … Read more
The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company has released this first look image from their production of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet reunites Richard Madden and Lily James, the stars of Branagh’s celebrated film Cinderella. Kenneth Branagh will directShakespeare’s tale of forbidden love which will be performed at the Garrick Theatre from 12 May to 13 August 2016. The Plays At The Garrick Season is now underway with The Winter’s Tale and All On Her Own /Harlequinade playing to packed houses. Hotel breaks tickets are still available for The Winter’s Tale and individual tickets are still on sale for Harlequinade. Book tickets for Romeo and Juliet For further information on the Kenneth Branagh Plays at the Garrick Season visit our information page.
The revival of Harlequinade, directed by Branagh and Ashford, now playing at the Garrick Theatre (in a 100 minute experience that includes All On Her Own and no intervals) is something of a revelation. Mostly, Harlequinade is seen in conjunction with The Browning Version, one of Rattigan’s masterpieces, usually as a curtain raiser. To my mind, that combination has never worked and Harlequinade has always seemed pale and irksome by comparison with The Browning Version. But, here, released from the curtain raiser position, placed directly in the spotlight, splendidly set up by the intense darkness of All On Her Own, the play can shine.
Dench’s verse speaking is unrivalled. She picks each word and gives it full, accurate weight, landing the sense, purpose and exact emotion of every glittering phrase. She is wily, wise and wonderful. Her pained berating of Leontes when she tells him Hermione is dead is one of the greatest moments in theatre I have ever witnessed. So powerful, it knocks the breath from your body.
It has been announced this morning a production of the play Red Velvet will be joining the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company season at the Garrick Theatre. BOOK NOW FOR RED VELVET Red Velvet imagines experiences based on the true story of Ira Aldridge. Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, 1833. Edmund Kean, the greatest actor of his generation, has collapsed on stage whilst playing Othello. A young black American actor has been asked to take over the role. But as the public riot in the streets over the abolition of slavery, how will the cast, critics and audience react to the revolution taking place in the theatre? This multi-award winning play, which originally premiered at the Tricycle Theatre, before transferring to St Ann’s Warehouse in New York, will be the third production in the Plays at the Garrick Season and will be directed by Indhu Rubasingha. Olivier-Award winner Adrian Lester will reprise … Read more
With the imminent arrival of the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company in the West End, we are thrilled to bring you what we consider to be one of the sexiest theatre company season trailers ever! This amazing short trailer is primarily aimed at the cinema going audience for the live broadcasts of the plays in the innaugural season of the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company but it’s got us excited. First up is Judi Dench in Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. This production is practically now SOLD OUT. There are some tickets still available as part of theatre breaks though. Rehearsals are also well underway for Harlequinade and On Her Own which will feature the wonderful Zoe Wannamaker in this unique Rattigan double bill. For up to date ticketing links please keep an eye on our Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company page. We will ensure that links to suppliers with good seats remains updated. … Read more
