Tom Scutt’s design is overwhelmingly attractive. Seductive blue and gold enhances the structures where the action occurs – a garishly compelling sense of Venice and Las Vegas: time and space are fused in the bauble land where Antonio and Shylock take their commercial risks. Greed and choice become the central focus here.
When Made In Dagenham is focussed on the fairy tale, it is completely engaging, very funny, heart-warming and genuinely affecting. And intrinsically British. It runs the whole spectrum from cute giggle to silent, handkerchief-drenching tears; a musical roller-coaster with more highs than lows.
Full casting is today announced for Rupert Goold’s The Merchant of Venice at the Almeida Theatre. Former Almeida Artistic Director Ian McDiarmid will play Shylock alongside Susannah Fielding and Scott Handy, who reprise their roles as Portia and Antonio. The company includes Vinta Morgan, Vincenzo Nicoli, Finlay Robertson, Raphael Sowole, Tim Steed, Jonathan Tafler, Anthony Welsh, Tom Weston-Jones and original RSC cast members Jamie Beamish, Rebecca Brewer, Caroline Martin and Emily Plumtree. Almeida Artistic Director Rupert Goold relocates one of Shakespeare’s most controversial plays to the bright lights of Las Vegas in a whirlwind of glitter, gambling and greenbacks. The Merchant of Venice, originally produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, is designed by Tom Scutt, with lighting by Rick Fisher, music by Adam Cork, sound by Gregory Clarke, choreography by Scott Ambler and orchestrations by Alex Baranowski They are joined at the Almeida by Casting Director Ginny Schiller, Associate Director … Read more
Made In Dagenham, a new British musical will which will open at the Adelphi Theatre on Wednesday 5 November. Based on the hit British film, this new musical comedy will star international stage and screen actress Gemma Arterton in the lead role of Rita O’Grady, with Adrian Der Gregorian as her husband Eddie. Joining Gemma and Adrian are Steve Furst playing US Ford Executive Mr Tooley, Mark Hadfield as Harold Wilson, Sophie-Louise Dann playing Barbara Castle, Sophie Stanton as Beryl, Heather Craney as Clare, Sophie Isaacs as Sandra, Julius D’Silva playing Ford Dagenham boss Mr Hopkins and Naomi Frederick as his wife Lisa. Also joining the Made in Dagenham cast are Naana Agyei-Ampadu, Thomas Aldridge, Kate Coysten, Christopher Howell, Scott Garnham, Ian Jervis, Paul Kemble, Emma Lindars, Jo Napthine, Tracey Penn, Gemma Salter, Gareth Snook, Rachel Spurrell, Emily Squibb, Karli Vale and Rene Zagger. Director Rupert Goold said: “We have … Read more
This is theatrical alchemy of the rarest kind. It will affect each person who sees it differently, for it is everything and nothing all at once.
This really is first-rate modern theatre: challenging, entertaining and questioning. Rupert Goold’s vision for the Almeida is electrifying.
