October sees more major openings, including three new musicals.
Continuing to play this month is The 39 Steps. A stage version of Alfred Hitchcock’s film version of John Buchan’s novel, this entertaining and inventive comedy-thriller is a long-running success story. Directed by Maria Aitken, the play tells the story of Richard Hannay, a dapper gentleman who unexpectedly finds himself on the run from the police, unjustly accused of murder. With locations as varied as a London flat, Scottish moors, a steam train and a music hall, this production pays tribute to Hitchcock’s brilliantly cinematic 1939 film while proving itself an entirely theatrical experience. A hard trick to pull off, as Hannay might have said.
Among the highlights of shows opening this month:
FROM HERE TO ETERNITY
Sir Tim Rice’s latest West End musical (composed by Stuart Brayson) is a stage version of James Jones’ 1951 novel, set in Hawaii during the Second World War. Fondly remembered as a 1953 film, with its iconic scene of Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr kissing on a beach, the stage musical goes back to the book for its inspiration. Among the stars are Darius Campbell, Rebecca Thornhill, Robert Lonsdale and Ryan Sampson. Lyricists tend to be overshadowed, in the public mind, by the composers they work with, but Tim Rice’s reputation has transcended this, so there will be considerable public and industry interest in his latest work. Having succeeded with the Bible (Jesus Christ, Superstar), an Argentinian dictator’s wife (Evita), fairy tale characters (Beauty and the Beast) and a lion cub (The Lion King), an American military base in the Pacific should be relatively straightforward! Playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre, the musical previews from 30 September and opens on 23 October.
ROOTS
Another theatrical knight, Sir Arnold Wesker, has his play Roots revived at the ever-fashionable Donmar Warehouse, in a production starring Jessica Raine. Though known to the general public for her role in the BBC series Call the Midwife, she has a strong reputation as a stage actress, having been seen in a wide range of plays, at the Young Vic, National Theatre and elsewhere. Set in Norfolk, Roots, first performed in 1958, is focussed on a young woman, Beatie (played by Raine) who has met a left-wing young man whose views have enlarged her own take on the world, but are likely to clash with those of her family, who live deep in the country. Roots previews from 3 October and opens on 8 October.
THE COMMITMENTS
Roddy Doyle has adapted his 1987 novel (filmed in 1991) about the formation of a band in Dublin and the tensions that erupt within the group as they try to make progress in the notoriously unstable world of music. The Commitments is directed by Jamie Lloyd, one of the hottest young directors in the West End, and plays at the Palace Theatre, one of the best showcases for musical theatre productions in London. The Commitments is currently previewing at the Palace. It opens on 8 October.
THE LIGHT PRINCESS
Another new musical, this time at the National Theatre, The Light Princess is a fairy tale with book and lyrics by playwright Samuel Adamson and music by singer-songwriter Tori Amos. The play tells a story of love between a princess who is so stressed she floats up into the air and a charming but deeply unhappy young prince. Can his heaviness and her lightness find a happy resolution? Adamson had a major hit this summer with Gabriel at Shakespeare’s Globe, while the director of The Light Princess, Marianne Elliott, won an Olivier Award for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, which originated at the National. The Curious Incident is currently playing at the Apollo Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue. The Light Princess plays in rep at the National and opens on 9 October.
TheatrelandTalks.com arranges walking tours of London’s Theatreland. Highly recommended. One and a half hours.
See www.theatrelandtalks.com for details.