FIRST LOOK – Lawrence After Arabia at Hampstead Theatre

Lawrence After Arabia Hampstead Theatre

The world premiere of Howard Brenton’s Lawrence After Arabia opens tonight at the Hampstead Theatre directed by John Dove. We are pleased to bring you these great images of the production. August, 1922. The most famous man in England has vanished without a trace: T.E. Lawrence has completely disappeared. But in the idyllic calm of the village of Ayot St Lawrence, on the top floor of the home of Mr and Mrs Bernard Shaw, the ‘uncrowned King of Arabia’ is hiding – with slabs of homemade carrot cake for comfort. Wearied by his romanticised persona and worldwide fame, disgusted with his country and himself, Lawrence is craving normality. But when you’re a brilliant archaeologist, scholar, linguist, writer and diplomat – as well as a legendary desert warrior – how can you ever be normal? And beyond the Shaws’ garden wall, nobody cares how he feels: England just wants its hero … Read more

Lawrence After Arabia at Hampstead Theatre

Book Now for Lawrence After Arabia at Hampstead Theatre

Hampstead Theatre will present Lawrence After Arabia from 28 April – 4 June 2016. Commissioned to mark the centenary of the Arab revolt, this new play by Howard Brenton will be directed by John Dove. August, 1922. The most famous man in England has vanished without a trace: T.E. Lawrence has completely disappeared. But in the idyllic calm of the village of Ayot St Lawrence, on the top floor of the home of Mr and Mrs Bernard Shaw, the ‘uncrowned King of Arabia’ is hiding – with slabs of homemade carrot cake for comfort. Wearied by his romanticised persona and worldwide fame, disgusted with his country and himself, Lawrence is craving normality. But when you’re a brilliant archaeologist, scholar, linguist, writer and diplomat – as well as a legendary desert warrior – how can you ever be normal? And beyond the Shaws’ garden wall, nobody cares how he feels: England … Read more

REVIEW: The Heresy Of Love, Shakespeare’s Globe ✭✭✭

The Heresy Of Love at Shakespeare's Globe

The Globe is not really a space for claustrophobic intense drama and this production really brings that home. This production would look and feel very different in the Sam Wanamaker Theatre and probably should have been programmed there. The openness of the space works against the building tension in Edmundson’s writing and Dove’s direction does not utilise the wide spaces in a way which enhances or accentuates the dark, brooding and Machiavellian aspects of the religious politics and the dogma dissection.

Farinelli And The King – Cast Announced – Tickets On Sale

Mark Rylance in Farinelli at the Sam Wanamker Playhouse

Following a sell-out season at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Claire Van Kampen’s new play Farinelli And The King will transfer to London’s Duke Of York’s Theatre for a strictly limited season commencing on September 14, 2015. Many of the cast of the original production will return to reprise their roles including award-winning actor Mark Rylance as King Philippe V of Spain, Sam Crane as Farinelli, Huss Harblya as Dr Jose Cervi, Meoldy Grove as Isabella Farnese, Colin Hurley as Metastasio and Edward Peel as De la Cuadra. The singing roles will be shared by Iestyn Davies and Rupert Enticknap. Set in eighteenth-century Spain, Claire van Kampen’s moving and mesmerising new play tells the intriguing true story of Farinelli, once the world’s most famous castrato and one of the greatest celebrities of his time, and his decision to trade fame and fortune in the opera-houses of Europe for a life of … Read more

REVIEW: Farinelli And The King, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse ✭✭✭✭

Melody Grove and Sam Crane in Farinelli And The King at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

It is a slight, but quite beautiful, play, perfectly suited to the intimate grandeur of the space, and quite intoxicating, so perfectly judged is everything about it. . The gifted Sam Crane takes on the acting burden of Farinelli , but when it comes time to sing, he is either joined onstage or replaced there by Purefoy, costumed precisely to match Crane. Purefoy has a strong, rich and agile counter-tenor. He is a delight to hear.