David Oakes and Natalie Dormer to star in Venus in Fur

David Oakes and Natalie Dormer to star in Venus In Fur

David Ives’ hit Broadway play Venus in Fur is to receive its West End premiere this autumn starring David Oakes and Natalie Dormer. For a strictly limited nine-week engagement, TRH Productions will present the two-hander at Theatre Royal Haymarket from October 6 to December 9, 2017. Venus In Fur tickets are on sale now. Natalie Dormer plays enigmatic actress Vanda Jordan who appears unannounced for an audition with director Thomas Novachek (David Oakes). She is determined to land the leading role in his new production despite seeming wrong for the part. Over one evening in downtown Manhattan their charged meeting becomes a seductive dance to the end. It will be directed by playwright Patrick Marber and designed by Rob Howell with lighting by Hugh Vanstone and casting by executive producer Ilene Starger. David Ives was nominated for a Tony Award for best play for Venus In Fur, which has been produced … Read more

REVIEW: Groundhog Day, Old Vic Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Book now for Groundhog Day at the Old Vic Theatre

For a 10 week trial, this production of Groundhog Day is as good or better than many shows I have seen this year. A West-end transfer must surely be on the cards and I’m sure Andy Karl would be up for a Broadway run. Just get down to the Old Vic asap to see this stunning show. Writing and production of this calibre must be seen!

Dreamgirls Now On Sale

Dreamgirls Tickets are now on sale

  The new production of the Tony Award-winning musical will open at London’s Savoy Theatre from 19 November 2016. Inspired by R&B music acts in 1960s America, Dreamgirls transports you to a revolutionary time in American music history. Dreamgirls charts the tumultuous journey of a young female singing trio, from Chicago, Illinois called ‘The Dreams’, as they learn the hard lesson that show business is as tough as it is fabulous, and features the classic songs ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’, ‘I Am Changing’, ‘Listen’ and ‘One Night Only’ . As previously confirmed, American actress and singer Amber Riley will make her West End debut playing soulful singer ‘Effie White’ in the production, which will be Directed and Choreographed by Olivier and Tony Award-winning Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Disney’s Aladdin and Something Rotten!). Dreamgirls will have Set Design by Tim Hatley, Costume Design by Gregg … Read more

REVIEW: The Red Lion, Dorfman Theatre ✭✭✭✭

The Red Lion at the National's Dorfman Theatre

Marber is not writing just about football. The play is fundamentally about notions of masculinity as well as about modern society. The trio represents a kind of football holy trinity – all connected, and representing father, son and spirit. Which of the trio fulfils which role is not always clear, sometimes shifts, and this is perhaps the most interesting aspect of Marber’s play. Calvin Demba is adept at displaying Jordan’s naivety as well as his darker, more complex side. Peter Wight is compelling as the sad, lonely, committed club man, Yates, whose life is entirely centred on the game and The Red Lion.

REVIEW: Closer, Donmar Warehouse ✭✭✭✭

Closer at the Donmar Warehouse

Watching David Leveaux’ stylish revival at the Donmar Warehouse, Closer seems not so much a play about people who don’t have children yet as a play about grown up children. Games, set-ups, lies, betrayals, revenge, secrets – the machinations of the four characters (who are the strangers who become lovers/lovers who become strangers) resemble schoolyard activities. Marber’s dialogue is sharp, ugly and vicious; it is often very funny too.