London Theatre Spring Preview 2006
As this belated blast of icy weather finally abates and venturing outside one’s living room becomes a more appealing prospect, London theatregoers can look forward to a particularly tempting array of new (and new-ish) productions.
A new artistic director at the Globe and some well-earned West End transfers are among the obvious highlights of the coming season.
But things get underway with two returning shows, not long away from London stages.
At the end of March, Christian Slater goes back the asylum as Terry Johnson's critically and commercially successful production of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest begins a second London run. Now playing at the Garrick, ER's Alex Kingston will be taking on the role of the formidable Nurse Ratched in the stage version of Ken Kesey's cult novel, and, as before, the supporting cast will favour comedians, most notably the always endearing Owen O'Neill.
The Royal Court's sell-out show My name Is Rachel Corrie - Katherine Viner and Alan Rickman's stage adaptation of the writings of the young American activist - also returns to London after its US run was 'indefinitely postponed,' presumably for its emotive handling of the Israel issue. Megan Dodds will again be taking the role of Corrie in a thought-provoking and relevant production that should be checked out at during its brief run at the Playhouse.
Personally Dawn French's comedic output over the last few years has left me colder than a cameraman on March Of The Penguins, but she has a strong track record when it comes to her stage work and Carmel Morgan's Smaller, a 'comedy with music' about two sisters caring for a disabled mother, sounds like it has the necessary darkness to override the taint of all things Dibley. French will be joining best mate Alison Moyet at the Shaftesbury Avenue Lyric from the end of March.
The late Arthur Miller's last play Resurrection Blues has been one of the big disappointments of the year to date, though how much of this is down to the writing or to Robert Altman's distinctly flimsy Old Vic production is debateable. Fortunately the RSC's recent production of The Crucible provides a reminder of just how vital Miller was at his best. Featuring, by all accounts, a captivating central performance from Iain Glen in the John Procter role, the show will be transferring to the Gielgud in April, right on the heels of the company's generally well-received series of Comedies at the Novello
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