Review: Boy at the Almeida Theatre

Boy 

Almeida Theatre

Reviewed on Wednesday 13th April 2016

★★★★

The Almeida has hauled the gnashing, award-winning Robert Icke away from Chekhov, Ibsen and Greek Tragedy for a month or two, and returned to the coal face of new writing. Boy, Leo Butler’s play about growing up in contemporary London, is an impressionistic 70-minute portrait of a lost generation, performed in the round on a constantly shifting conveyer belt of bus-stops, tube stations and drop-in centres.

American Psycho to release Original London Cast Recording

Ahead of its Broadway transfer, it has been announced that American Psycho will release an Original London Cast Recording.

With a score by Duncan Sheik, the cast album will be released on 25th March 2016 from Concord Records. 

Starring Doctor Who's Matt Smith, American Psycho ran at London's Almeida Theatre between December 2013 and January 2014. A West End transfer was rumoured but never happened.

The London cast also included: Gillian Kirkpatrick as Patrick's Mother/Mrs. Wolfe, Cassie Compton as Jean and Susannah Fielding as Evelyn Williams. The London cast was completed by Ben Aldridge, Charlie Anson, Jonathan Bailey, Katie Brayben, Holly Dale Spencer, Simon Gregor, Holly James, Lucie Jones, Tom Kay, Eugene McCoy and Hugh Skinner.

Sacha Wares to direct BOY by Leo Butler at the Almeida Theatre

Following her success with Game by Mike Bartlett, Sacha Wares is returning to the Almeida Theatre to direct the world premiere of Leo Butler’s new play Boy.

Boy opens at the Almeida Theatre on 12th April (previews from 5th April) and runs until 28th May 2016. 

Set design is by Miriam Buether with costume by Ultz, movement by Leon Baugh, lighting by Jack Knowles and sound by Gareth Fry. Wares is associate director at the Young Vic and was previously Associate Director of the Royal Court from 2007-2013. 

Rehearsal Pics: Almeida's Uncle Vanya starring Paul Rhys, Jessica Brown Findlay & Vanessa Kirby

Rehearsal images have been released for the Almeida Theatre's production of Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

The show opens at the Almeida on 12th February (previews from 5th February) for a limited run to 26th March 2016. Uncle Vanya has been adapted and directed by Robert Icke following his recent success with Oresteia which transferred to the West End following its run at the Almeida. 

Line-up confirmed for Almeida’s greek season finale 'The Odyssey'

Tomorrow (12th November) an army of theatre's biggest stars will read Homer's sequel, which will be live-streamed free from unusual and iconic locations across London to celebrate the end of the Almeida's Greek season.

The line-up includes: Adrian Scarborough, Andrew Scott, Anna Madeley, Amanda Boxer, Amanda Hale, Andy De La Tour, Annette McLaughlin, Annie Firbank, Ashley Zhangazha, Bertie Carvel, Bryony Hannah, Carmen Munroe, Charlotte Randle, Cherrelle Skeete, Douglas Henshall, Elizabeth Chan, Emily Berrington, Forbes Masson, George MacKay, Hara Yannas, Ian Hart, Ian McKellen, Indira Varma, Ivanno Jeremiah, Janet Suzman, Jenna Russell, Jeremy Irvine, Jessica Brown Findlay, Jonjo O’Neil, Joshua Higgott, Juliet Stevenson, Justin Salinger, Kate Fleetwood, Lia Williams, Lorna Brown, Louise Brearley, Luke Thompson, Michael Shaeffer, Michele Austin, Miranda Richardson, Naomi Frederick, Noma Dumezweni, Olivia Williams, Paul Chahidi, Prasanna Puwanarajah, Rhashan Stone, Richard Cant, Robert Sheehan, Rudi Dharmalingam, Scott Handy, Simon Russell Beale, Stanley Tucci, Susannah Fielding, Toby Jones, Tom Bateman, Tom Goodman Hill and Vanessa Kirby 

Almeida announces winter 2015/16 season

The Almeida Theatre has announced its winter 2015/16 season. The theatre will continue reinvigorate the classics with a fresh take on two of the 19th century’s greatest playwrights. 

Richard Eyre follows his celebrated productions of Hedda Gabler and Ghosts with a new translation of Ibsen’s Little Eyolf. The production will open on 26th November 2015 (previews from 19 November) and run until 9th January 2016.

Jolyon Coy and Lydia Leonard lead a cast which also includes Sam Hazeldine, Eve Ponsonby and Eileen Walsh. Design is by Tim Hatley with lighting by Peter Mumford, sound by John Leonard, video by Jon Driscoll and casting by Cara Beckinsale.

Full casting announced for Almeida's Medea starring Kate Fleetwood

Full casting has been announced for Medea at the Almeida Theatre. The production opens on 1st October (previews from 25th September) and runs until 14th November 2015. 

Rupert Goold will direct Euripides’ masterpiece, as one of world drama’s most infamous characters is brought to life in a new version by controversial feminist writer Rachel Cusk.

Alongside the previously announced Kate Fleetwood (pictured), who makes her Almeida debut in the title role, the cast will include: Michele Austin, Guillarmo Bedward, Sarah Belcher, Amanda Boxer, Richard Cant, Ruth Everett, Georgina Lamb, Emily Mytton, Charlotte Randle, Lukas Rolfe, Justin Salinger, Louis Sayers, Sam Smith, Xavier Moras Spencer, Andy de la Tour and Joseph West.

Stellar cast announced for Almeida's The Iliad

A company of more than 60 artists will bring The Iliad to life in a durational reading on Friday 14th August. 

The reading will begin at the British Museum and culminate on the Almeida stage. 

The marathon reading is the latest event in the theatre’s Almeida Greeks Festival which has so far seen Robert Icke’s critically acclaimed production of Oresteia transfer to Trafalgar Studios in the West End and James Macdonald’s production of Bakkhai play to sold out houses at the Almeida.

Homer’s The Iliad is the source myth of Greek drama and the greatest story of heroism, betrayal and war in literature. 

Almeida's Oresteia confirms details of West End transfer

The Almeida Theatre’s production of Oresteia, by Aeschylus is transferring to Trafalgar Studios.

The show will open in the West End on 7th September (previews from 22nd August) for a limited run until 7th November 2015. Oresteia has been re-imagined for the modern stage by Almeida Associate Director Robert Icke.

Icke’s Oresteia was acclaimed during its Almeida run as one of the theatre events of the year so far, creating a style of theatre-going that is the theatrical equivalent of binge-watching – audiences threw themselves into the epic and captivating style of the production. 

Full casting announced for Bakkhai starring Ben Whishaw at the Almeida

The Almeida Theatre has announced full casting for Bakkhai. 

James Macdonald directs Anne Carson’s new version of Euripides’ hedonistic, visceral tragedy. Using three actors and a chorus, this new production will echo the original Ancient Greek performance model.

Kevin Harvey joins the previously announced Ben Whishaw, who makes his Almeida debut as Dionysos, and Bertie Carvel who returns to the Almeida as Pentheus.

Casting announced for Carmen Disruption at the Almeida Theatre

Jamie Cameron

Casting has been announced for the UK premiere of Carmen Disruption. 

Simon Stephens' play is a dramatic reimagining of Bizet’s Carmen. Michael Longhurst directs the production which opens on 17th April (previews from 10th April) and runs until 23rd May 2015.

The cast includes Olivier Award winner Noma Dumezweni, John Light (currently appearing in Taken At Midnight) and Jack Farthing (recently appeared in ITV's Cilla). 

Sharon Small (Downton Abbey) and mezzo-soprano Viktoria Vizin, who completed her 100th performance of Bizet’s Carmen at the Budapest State Opera House in 2012, will also star in the production.  The cast is completed by Katie West, Jamie Cameron and Harry Napier.

Casting announced for world premiere of Game by Mike Bartlett

Casting has been announced for the world premiere of Mike Bartlett's provocative new play Game which opens at the Almeida Theatre on 3rd March (previews from 23rd February) and runs until 4th April 2015.

The cast includes: Georgina Beedle, Clare Burt, Daniel Cerqueira, Kevin Harvey, Chloe Hesar, Jodie McNee, Mike Noble, Ben Righton, Richard Sumitro and Susan Wokoma. 

In a housing crisis, a young couple are offered a home of their own. But at what price? Invasive and unsettling, Game invites us to spy on a family as they explore a dangerous new way to live.

King Charles III extends to January 2015

The producers of Mike Bartlett’s acclaimed new play, King Charles III have announced that the show’s run has been extended by 9 weeks. The play will now run at the Wyndham’s Theatre until 31st January 2015. Tickets for the extension are on sale today.

Directed by the Almeida Theatre’s Artistic Director Rupert Goold, King Charles III is designed by Tom Scutt with music composed by Jocelyn Pook, lighting by Jon Clark and sound by Paul Arditti. It transferred to the West End following a sold out run at the Almeida. 

Almeida announces Winter-Spring 2014/15 season

The Almeida Theatre has announced its Winter-Spring 2014/15 season. The season will "take a closer look at money, materialism and what we value". Public booking opens at 10am on Tuesday 23rd September.

5th December – 14th February

The Merchant of Venice

By William Shakespeare

Directed by Rupert Goold

Rupert Goold brings his ground-breaking production of The Merchant of Venice to the Almeida featuring a cast including former Almeida Artistic Director Ian McDiarmid (Six Characters in Search of an Author, The Tempest, Utopia, Star Wars) and Susannah Fielding (American Psycho).

Casting announced for Almeida's Our Town

Casting has been announced for Thornton Wilder’s Our Town at the Almeida Theatre.

Award-winning US actor-director David Cromer will direct and perform in the production . The cast also includes: Michael Ajao, Paul Bigley, Arthur Byrne, Sidney Cole, Kate Dickie, Laura Elsworthy, Anna Francolini, Matthew Jacobs-Morgan, Daniel Kendrick, Simon Lennon, Jessica Lester, Richard Lumsden, Annette McLaughlin, Christopher Staines, Rhashan Stone and David Walmsley.

The production will be performed on a bare stage with minimal props. Our Town opens on 17th October (previews from 10th October) and runs until 29th November 2014. 

Full casting confirmed for West End transfer of King Charles III

Full casting has been confirmed for King Charles III which transfers to the West End following a run at the Almeida Theatre.

Directed by the Almeida's Artistic Director Rupert Goold, King Charles III opens at the Wyndham's Theatre on Thursday 11th September (previews from 2nd September).

Tim Pigott-Smith will once again play Charles and Oliver Chris will reprise his role as William. They will be joined by Katie Brayben, Richard Goulding, Nyasha Hatendi, Adam James, Margot Leicester, Miles Richardson, Tom Robertson, Nicholas Rowe, Tafline Steen and Lydia Wilson. Rehearsals began today (Monday 18th August).

Almeida's King Charles III confirms West End transfer

The Almeida Theatre has confirmed it's production of King Charles III will transfer to the Wyndham’s Theatre for a limited season.

The production opens on Thursday 11th September 2014 (previews from 2nd September) and runs until Saturday 29th November 2014. King Charles III continues to play to sell-out crowds at the Almeida Theatre until 31st May.

Tim Pigott-Smith stars as Charles alongside Richard Goulding, Nyasha Hatendi, Adam James, Margot Leicester, Tom Robertson, Nicholas Rowe, Tafline Steen and Lydia Wilson. Further casting is to be announced.

1984 extends West End run

It has been announced that 1984 has extended its West End run at the Playhouse Theatre for an extra five weeks. 

The show will now run until 23rd August 2014, prior to a second UK tour in the autumn. The Headlong, Nottingham Playhouse and Almeida production was previously booking until 19th July.

Adapted from George Orwell's influential novel, 1984 received its world premiere in Nottingham last September ahead of its first UK tour and seven-week run at the Almeida Theatre. The show then transferred to the West End. 

GOSSIP: Almeida's King Charles III transferring to Wyndham’s Theatre starring Tim Pigott-Smith?

According to the Daily Mail, the cast of Mike Bartlett’s acclaimed new play King Charles III are in discussions about bringing the drama, directed by Rupert Goold, from the Almeida into Wyndham’s Theatre. 

Tim Pigott-Smith stars in the production which would ideally open at the Wyndham’s in September following David Hare’s Skylight with Carey Mulligan and Bill Nigh.

Jenna Russell to star in Mr Burns at the Almeida; casting announced

It has been confirmed that Jenna Russell will star in Mr Burns at the Almeida Theatre.

The European premiere of Anne Washburn’s play will be directed by the Almeida's associate director Robert Icke (who recently he wrote and directed 1984 with Duncan Macmillan).

The company also includes Fiona Digney, Adrian der Gregorian, Demetri Goritsas, Adey Grummet, Michael Henry, Justine Mitchell, Wunmi Mosaku, Annabel Scholey and Michael Shaeffer.

Mr Burns will be designed by Tom Scutt who most recently worked on the Almeida’s current production of King Charles III. Philip Gladwell will design the lighting, sound design will be by Tom Gibbons, with joint composition and musical direction by Orlando Gough and Michael Henry.