Editor's Blog: A West End Theatre Holiday (Part 2)

Click here to read Part 1 of this piece.

On Thursday afternoon I arrived at the Harold Pinter Theatre to see my first play of the year, Jez Butterworth’s Mojo starring Brendan Coyle, Rupert Grint, Tom Rhys Harries, Daniel Mays, Colin Morgan and Ben Whishaw. The reviews and word of mouth have built up the production to be absolutely mind blowingly brilliant, but personally I do not think it is. Mojo is incredibly interesting but takes too long to become gritty and gripping. 

The second act of Mojo is considerably stronger than the first and Ben Whishaw gives the most insanely exceptional performance. This was my first time seeing Ben perform live and you can't help but be drawn to him each time he steps on stage, regardless of what else is going on. Harry Potter star Rupert Grint, who is making his West End debut, gives a good performance. I could easily spot the Harry Potter fans, especially during the bows - I have never heard such a roar in a theatre after an afternoon performance, especially after such a heavy play! It is, of course, fantastic that the talented cast are attracting different audiences to the West End (most of whom had seen the production four or five times already).

Mojo starring Rupert Grint extends West End run

Ian Rickson’s critically acclaimed West End revival of Jez Butterworth’s Mojo has announced a further two weeks of performances. Mojo will now complete its run on 8th February 2014 with its original cast - Brendan Coyle (Mickey), Rupert Grint (Sweets), Tom Rhys Harries (Silver Johnny), Daniel Mays (Potts), Colin Morgan (Skinny) and Ben Whishaw (Baby).

Colin Morgan (Skinny), Daniel Mays (Potts) and Rupert Grint (Sweets)

Designs are by Ultz with lighting by Charles Balfour, music by Stephen Warbeck and sound by Simon Baker. Mojo is produced in the West End by Sonia Friedman Productions who also produced Butterworth and Rickson’s internationally-acclaimed Jerusalem. 

Photo Feature: Rupert Grint and cast rehearse for West End revival of Jez Butterworth’s Mojo

The producers of Mojo have released images of the cast and director rehearsing for the production. Mojo will open at the Harold Pinter Theatre on 13th November (previews from 26th October) and is scheduled to run until 25th January 2014.  Check out the images below (click on an image to enlarge).

Ian Rickson directs Brendan Coyle (Mickey), Rupert Grint (Sweets), Daniel Mays (Potts), Colin Morgan (Skinny), Ben Whishaw (Baby) and Tom Rhys Harries (Silver Johnny) in the major West End revival of Jez Butterworth’s award-winning play, reuniting director and writer who previously collaborated on the play’s world premiere at the Royal Court in 1995. 

Full casting announced for major West End revival of Mojo starring Rupert Grint

In July it was confirmed that Rupert Grint will make his West End debut in Jez Butterworth’s award-winning play Mojo alongside Brendan Coyle (Mickey), Daniel Mays (Potts) and Ben Whishaw (Baby).

It has now been announced that the cast will also feature Colin Morgan (Skinny) and Tom Rhys Harries (Silver Johnny).

Ian Rickson will direct the production which opens at the Harold Pinter Theatre on 13th November 2013 (previews from 26th October) and runs until 25th January 2014. 

Mojo will reunite the director and writer who previously collaborated on the play’s world premiere at the Royal Court in 1995. Designs are by Ultz with lighting by Charles Balfour, music by Stephen Warbeck and sound by Simon Baker. 

Mojo is produced in the West End by Sonia Friedman Productions who also produced Butterworth and Rickson’s internationally-acclaimed Jerusalem.

Confirmed: Rupert Grint to make West End debut in Mojo alongside Brendan Coyle, Daniel Mays and Ben Whishaw

It has been confirmed that Ian Rickson will direct a cast including Brendan Coyle, Rupert Grint, Daniel Mays and Ben Whishaw in a major West End revival of Jez Butterworth’s award-winning Mojo. Ian Rickson and Jez Butterworth previously collaborated on the play’s world premiere at the Royal Court in 1995.

Set against the fledgling rock ‘n’ roll scene of 50s Soho, this savagely funny play delves into the sleazy underworld and power games of London’s most infamous district.

Mojo will begin previews at the Harold Pinter Theatre on 26th October 2013 with tickets released for general sale in September 2013. Mojo will be produced in the West End by Sonia Friedman Productions.

Theatre Gossip: Harry Potter's Rupert Grint in talks to make West End debut alongside Ben Whishaw?

According to the Daily Mail, Harry Potter star Rupert Grint is in talks to make his theatre debut alongside Ben Whishaw. The actor, who starred as Ron Weasley in the eight Harry Potter films, has performed in a workshop reading of Jez Butterworth’s 1995 play Mojo.

The drama is set in a lowlife club in Soho in 1958 and focuses on a handsome rock singer with star potential who gets caught up in uncouth goings-on involving a gangster, club owner and band manager. The article claims that Ian Rickson, who directed the original 1995 Royal Court production, held a play reading recently with a cast that also included celebrated actor Daniel Mays and Robert Sheehan.

Now Rickson and producer Sonia Friedman (whose recent credits include Merrily We Roll Along and The Book of Mormon) are in negotiations with Grint and Whishaw to star in a West End run of the show next year.