Stars are shining in London's West End. Bradley Cooper just completed a successful run as the lead of The Elephant Man, and Benedict Cumberbatch is starring now in the sold out Hamlet (tickets are available from brokers or for hefty prices at www.viagogo.com - or 30 seats released each day at the Barbican box office). Luckily, there's more big name talent to catch in upcoming shows.
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| Photo by Johan Persson |
Photograph 51, which just opened this month, stars Nicole Kidman as sidelined DNA scientist Rosalind Franklin. Kidman’s gotten rave reviews for her first appearance back on the London stage in 17 years; she last performed here in David Hare’s The Blue Room in 1998. Kidman’s megastar wattage and the positive press have made tickets hard to come by, but again a good broker or search on online at www.viagogo.com.
Another hot ticket is Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale directed by Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh at the Garrick Theatre, following their triumphant staging of Macbeth in Manchester and Manhattan. Dame Judi Dench will play Paulina, Kenneth Branagh will play Leontes in this timeless tragicomedy of obsession and redemption. The show runs from October 16 – January 17; some dates are sold out so best to call the Box Office on (44) 0330 333 4811 for more information and best availability. www.branaghtheatre.com/the-winters-tale/index.php
For Sex and The City fans, Kim Cattrall will play the lead in Linda at the Royal Court Theatre in Chelsea from November 25 – January 9. Linda is a new production about a 55 year old woman in her prime, with two children, a career who seemingly has it all. Buzz is that Cattrall’s performance will be epic. www.royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/linda
In January 2016, Academy Award Nominee Ralph Fiennes will star in The Master Builder at London’s Old Vic. Fiennes will play Halvard Solness, an architect in a small Norwegian town, in the production which will form part of Matthew Warchus's first season as artistic director of the theatre, a post formerly held by Kevin Spacey since 2003. Fiennes is a favorite of the London stage having had a successful run earlier this year at the National Theatre in the hit Man and Superman.
Last but definitely not least, Glenn Close, will be making her West End debut in Sunset Boulevard as faded silent movie star Norma Desmond, the role which earned her a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award, and a host of other honors when it played on Broadway. The show runs for five weeks only starting April 1, 2016 at the English National Opera House. Surely this will be a sellout; tickets go on sale today, Tuesday, September 29. www.eno.org/news/glenn-close-comes-to-eno-for-sunset-boulevard