Doctor Faustus is a production that tries to achieve a lot, and only partially succeeds. It is an artfully staged production that is high in intensity but critically low in heart and coherence.
In a luxurious bedroom, two maids fantasise about killing their employer, playing out dangerous and sadistic scenarios as they plan her violent death. An intense psychological thriller seething with unique theatricality and brimming with intrigue, The Maids is a vicious analysis of the class system, and a provocative exploration of gender and sexuality. Uzo Aduba and Zawe Ashton play the maids, Solange and Claire. Laura Carmichael plays Mistress. The production is designed by Soutra Gilmour. This translation, by Benedict Andrews and Andrew Upton, was first performed at Sydney Theatre Company in 2014. This is the first time it has been seen in the UK. The Maids runs at Trafalgar Studios from 20th February to 21 May 2016. Save up to 43% if you book before 29th February 2016.
The Jamie Lloyd Company has announced that it’s first production for 2016 will be the UK premiere of a contemporary adaptation of The Maids by Jean Genet at Trafalgar Studios. The production will star Uzo Aduba (Orange Is The New Black), Zawe Ashton (Spendour) and Laura Carmichael (Downton Abbey). In a luxurious bedroom, two maids fantasise about killing their employer, playing out dangerous and sadistic scenarios as they plan her violent death. An intense psychological thriller seething with unique theatricality and brimming with intrigue, The Maids is a vicious analysis of the class system, and a provocative exploration of gender and sexuality. Uzo Aduba and Zawe Ashton will play the maids, Solange and Claire. Laura Carmichael will play Madam. Uzo Aduba said, ‘I wanted to be a part of The Jamie Lloyd Company because they’re interested in doing exciting work that is new, with a twist to it. It’s work … Read more
The Jamie Lloyd Company returns to the West End with a new production of Harold Pinter’s The Homecoming to celebrate the show’s 50th anniversary year. The Homecoming will feature an all-star cast including John Simm (Lenny), Keith Allen (Sam), Gemma Chan (Ruth), Ron Cook (Max), Gary Kemp (Teddy), and John Macmillan (Joey). When Teddy returns from America to introduce his wife Ruth to his family in London, they discover a claustrophobic and brutal household where his father Max, brothers Lenny and Joey and Uncle Sam live in a state of mutual loathing and festering resentment. Theirs is a motherless, compassionless and lawless home where Ruth immediately becomes the centre of attention. Pinter’s sinister masterpiece simmers with suspense and rings with savage humour as Ruth navigates her way between the roles of predator and prey in an incisive battle of wills. The Homecoming is widely regarded as Pinter’s finest play, a … Read more
There is an acute fascination in watching the richly intense banquet give way, bit by bit, to the advances of the common folk, to see the lavish table become stripped bare, and then transform into a place for measured debate instead of entitled excess. The wonderful lighting from Bruno Poet only accentuates the lush transition, as does Mary Chadwick’s atmospheric music. The hint of the regally attired Charles and his retinue, like a gorgeously detailed ghost, hovers in the background – there, but not there.
James McAvoy is a true, blistering, white-hot star who lights up every moment he is on stage, whose smile and darting, impressive eyes can say whatever he wants them to say; utterly mercurial, hilarious and wild one moment, malevolent and disturbed in the next, then sad or insane or calculating or sexy – or all of those at once.
What is most impressive about Lloyd’s Assassins is the way it can walk the line between tragedy and farce, between opera and vaudeville, with integrity and precision. Chris Bailey’s quite wonderful choreography makes you feel exuberant and queasy at the same time. More than anything else, the emphasis here is on putting the Musical into Assassins.
Tony nominated actor Aaron Tveit will join the cast of Jamie Lloyd’s production of Assassins at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Assassins will make Tveit’s UK stage debut. His credits include Next To Normal on Broadway and the film of Les Miserables. He is currently appearing in the hit television police drama Graceland. Casting for the production also includes Jamie Parker (The History Boys, Chichester Guys and Dolls), Harry Morrison (Guys and Dolls), Carly Bawden (Pippin, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg), Stewart Clarke (The Return Of The Soldier, Chost, Loserville), Simon Lipkin (Avenue Q, Rock Of Ages), Mike McShane (Little Shop Of Horrors, La Cage Aux Folles), Harry Morrison (Crazy For You, Kiss Me Kate), Andy Nyman (Abigail’s Party), Jamie Parker (Proof, Ghost Stories), David Roberts ( Aspects Of Love), and Catherine Tate (The Catherine Tate Show, Doctor Who, Much Ado About Nothing). With music by Stephen Sondheim and Book by John … Read more
