Big Interview: Harriet Thorpe

Harriet Thorpe is currently starring in the National Theatre’s production of Great Britain by Richard Bean. 

Following a successful premiere at the National’s Lyttelton Theatre, the play has transferred to the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London's West End. Hot on the heels of the phone hacking scandal, Great Britain is described as an “anarchic and foul-mouthed satire about the press, the police and the political establishment".

Harriet was most recently seen reprising her performance of Madame Morrible in the West End production of Wicked (Apollo Victoria). Her musical theatre roles also include: Frauline Kost in Cabaret (Lyric/Savoy/UK Tour), Lottie Child/Patricia Fodor in Crazy For You (Novello/Open Air Theatre), Tanya in Mamma Mia (Prince Of Wales), Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd (National Tour) and Madame Thernadier in Les Miserables (Palace).

Just a few of her other countless theatre credits include: Twelfth Night, Cymbeline, Richard III and A Midsummer Night's Dream (all Open Air Theatre), Brighton Rock (Almeida), The Vagina Monologues (Arts), Streetcar To Tennessee (Young Vic), Jackie (Queens) and The Bassett Table (Bristol Old Vic/Tour/Tricycle). Previous work at the National includes: A Prayer For Owen Meany, All My Sons, The Government Inspector, Pravda, Futurists, Jacobowski & The Colonel and Longtime Gone.

On screen Harriet is best known for playing Fleur in Absolutely Fabulous, Carole in The Brittas Empire and, most recently, Lynn in The Secret. She has made numerous appearances in some of the UK’s most popular TV shows and films. 

I recently spoke to Harriet about what makes Great Britain such a thrilling play and why it’s so exciting to be part of something brand new. We also discussed her remarkably varied career and what she used to get up to between performances during her time in Wicked…

You’ve been with Great Britain right from the beginning. What were the early stages like when it was all hush hush?

Well it’s interesting because when you’re in a play one doesn’t really discuss rehearsals anyway because if you are doing a Shakespeare, however thrilling it is for oneself, nobody is really interested in your rehearsals – so not talking about it was quite easy. People just knew I was doing a play, nobody really asked anything else! 

Review: Great Britain at the Theatre Royal Haymarket

Great Britain
Theatre Royal Haymarket
Reviewed on Monday 29th September 2014
★★★★★

Great Britain is one of the best plays I have seen all year. Written by Richard Bean, Great Britain is a hysterically funny and unapologetic satire about the phone hacking scandal. The play may not tell us anything we didn't know before, but it is extremely relevant and cleverly put together.

Sneak peek at... Ben Mansfield & Lucy Punch in Great Britain

The National Theatre have released production images of Ben Mansfield and Lucy Punch in Great Britain. The pair have joined the production for its West End transfer. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

Richard Bean's play begins previews at the Theatre Royal Haymarket tonight (Tuesday 9th September) ahead of its press night on Friday 26th September 2014. Punch leads the cast as Paige Britain alongside Mansfield as Commissioner Donald Doyle Davidson.

National Theatre releases first image of Lucy Punch as Paige Britain in Great Britain

The National Theatre have released the first image of Lucy Punch as Paige Britain in Great Britain (see right, click to enlarge.).

Punch replaces Billie Piper in the leading role for the West End transfer of Richard Bean’s new play. 

It is designed by Tim Hatley, with video design by 59 Productions, lighting by Neil Austin, music by Grant Olding and sound by Paul Arditti. 

Directed by Nicholas Hytner, Great Britain opens at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on Friday 26th September 2014 (previews from 9th September) for a limited run until Saturday 10th January 2015. 

Casting announced for West End transfer of Great Britain; Lucy Punch replaces Billie Piper

It has been announced that Lucy Punch (pictured right) will star as Paige Britain in the West End transfer of Richard Bean’s new play, Great Britain.

Billie Piper is currently playing the role at the National Theatre where the piece premiered in June.

Directed by Nicholas Hytner, Great Britain opens at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on Friday 26th September 2014 (previews from 9th September) for a limited run until Saturday 10th January 2015.

The show is designed by Tim Hatley with video design by 59 Productions, lighting by Neil Austin, music by Grant Olding and sound by Paul Arditti. 

Richard Bean’s Great Britain transfers from National Theatre to West End in September

It has been announced that Richard Bean’s new play Great Britain will transfer to the West End following its run at the National Theatre.

Nicholas Hytner’s production will begin performances at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on Wednesday 10th September 2014.

Great Britain currently stars Billie Piper alongside Harriet Thorpe, Kellie Shirley, Robert Glenister and Oliver Chris. However, casting for the West End transfer is yet to be announced.

Sneak peek at... Richard Bean's Great Britain

Ahead of tonight's opening of Richard Bean's new play Great Britain, the National Theatre have released the play's production images. Take a look at the pictures below (click image to enlarge). Billie Piper stars in the play which opens without any preview performances and is currently booking at the Lyttelton Theatre until Saturday 23rd August 2014.

Described as a "fast and furious new play", Great Britain is an anarchic satire about the press, the police and the political establishment. Billie Piper plays Paige Britain, ambitious young news editor of The Free Press, a tabloid newspaper locked in a never ending battle for more readers. 

Billie Piper stars in Richard Bean’s new play Great Britain; production opens at the National next week!

As previously rumoured, it has been announced that Billie Piper will star in Richard Bean’s new play Great Britain at the National Theatre.

The play's run begins at the Lyttelton Theatre next Monday (30th June) without any previews. The production will run until Saturday 23rd August 2014. 

Described as a "fast and furious new play", Great Britain is an anarchic satire about the press, the police and the political establishment. Billie Piper plays Paige Britain, ambitious young news editor of The Free Press, a tabloid newspaper locked in a never ending battle for more readers.

The full cast is: Sarah Annis, Ross Boatman, Robert Calvert, Oliver Chris, William Chubb, Dermot Crowley, Jo Dockery, Robert Glenister, Ian Hallard, James Harkness, Scott Karim, Barbara Kirby, Nicholas Lumley, Maggie McCarthy, Iain Mitchell, Miles Mitchell, Aaron Neil, Billie Piper, Nick Sampson, Kellie Shirley, Kiruna Stamell, Harriet Thorpe, Rupert Vansittart, Joseph Wilkins and Andrew Woodall.