This week in London theatre, we’re experiencing the whole range of emotions: joy that some of our favorite British actors took home Tonys last Sunday, excitement that we’ll get to see Cate Blanchett onstage next year, and amused bewilderment over the Genie-swap happening later this summer. Also tears – for Kinky Boots.
Did you hear? Brits represented at the 72nd Tony Awards this past weekend! Harry Potter and the Cursed Child took home six awards, and Andrew Garfield and Glenda Jackson both won Tonys for their performances on Broadway: Garfield in Angels in America and Glenda Jackson in Three Tall Women. The biggest winner of the night was new musical The Band’s Visit, which scooped up a total of nine Tony awards (any Broadway producer want to bring that lovely show over to the UK anytime soon???).
In other news, you’d better throw on your kinky boots and dash over to the Adelphi Theatre, because the snazzy, feel-good show that’s won every major best musical award (OK, we like it just a little bit) plays its last London performance 12 January 2019. Before closing, Kinky Boots will celebrate its third year on the West End this September. The Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper-written show will also embark on a UK tour starting 19 September. In the meantime, check out these new production shots of the final (*sniff*) London company of Kinky Boots:
Cate Blanchett will star in a new Martin Crimp play at the National Theatre in January. The two-time Academy Award winner will be making her National Theatre debut in When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other: Twelve Variations on Samuel Richardson’s Pamela. Richardson’s 1740 novel Pamela features a young servant girl who finds herself left at the mercy of her master after her mistress’ death. First published serially, Richardson’s story became one of the first “bestsellers,” and is often credited with launching the popularity of the novel as a form of literature. Crimp’s play explores the complications of gender roles and the violence of sexual desire. Katie Mitchell will direct.
It’s a genie swap! This summer, the two Genies from the West End and US touring productions of Aladdin will switch places. Trevor Dion Nicholas, currently playing Genie in London, will join the touring production, while Michael James Scott, currently touring, will perform in London. The madness will last 17 August to 30 September. Why is it happening? Who knows, but it may be worth a trip to the Prince Edward Theatre to see Scott as Genie: a role he originated in the Australian production and won an award for.
Kit Harrington (Game of Thrones) and Johnny Flynn (Lovesick) will star in a West End revival of Sam Shepard’s play True West. The show will play the Vaudeville Theatre starting 23 November.
Spamilton — the Hamilton musical parody — is cast. The spoof will star Marc Akinfolarin (UK tours of Spamalot and Jesus Christ Superstar), Jason Denton (School of Rock), Eddie Elliott (Motown), Liam Tamne (Working at Southwark Playhouse) and Julie Yammanee (David Bowie’s Lazarus). Sophie-Louise Dann (Forbidden Broadway) and Damian Humbley (Merrily We Roll Along, Forbidden Broadway, The Last 5 Years) will make special guest appearances (whatever that means).
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Don Quixote will transfer to the West End starting 27 October. Directed by Angus Jackson, the production will feature David Threlfall and Rufus Hound reprising their roles from the original RSC production.
