Big Interview: West End star Lizzy Connolly

Lizzy Connolly is currently starring in the European premiere of Vanities at Trafalgar Studios 2.

Directed by Racky Plews, the musical has previously played in Seattle, Houston, New York and Los Angeles. It has book by Jack Heifner and music/lyrics by David Kirshenbaum.

Lizzy recently originated the role of Doris in Mrs Henderson Presents (West End/Theatre Royal Bath). Her credits also include: Jest End (Waterloo East), Calliope in Xanadu (Southwark Playhouse), Jolene in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (West End), WAG The Musical (Charing Cross), Jill in From Up Here (Tristan Bates) and Galatea in The Boys From Syracuse (Union ).

I previously spoke to Lizzy backstage at the Savoy Theatre in 2014 and, because she is one of my all-time favourite interviewees, when I knew the closure of West End Frame was approaching I made sure I set up another interview. We sat down to discuss why she's so excited to be a part of Vanities, her inspirations and, of course, who she would invite to her stagey dinner party...

So much has happened since we last spoke! You’ve literally jumped from show to show, have you had the chance to take it all in?
I’ve just been super-duper lucky, I’ve just had a big luck spurt! I’ve met some absolutely incredible people who have been a lot better than me and imparted really good advice to me along the way which has helped me in different areas. Every venue I’ve worked at has been beautiful or quirky and cool.

Boris: World King transferring to London

Having played to sold out audiences at the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, satirical comedy Boris: World King is transferring to London.

The play will open at Trafalgar Studios 2 on 21st April (previews from 19th April) for a limited run to 14th May 2016. 

Boris: World King is written by Tom Crawshaw and directed by Yaz Al-Shaater with the cast including David Benson and Alice McCarthy.

Review: The Wasp at Trafalgar Studios 2

The Wasp

Trafalgar Studios 2

Reviewed on Friday 11th December 2015

★★★

Hampstead Theatre and Trafalgar Studios seem to have a fairly close relationship at present. James Fritz’s Olivier-nominated Four Minutes Twelve Seconds has just finished its three week run in Studio Two, having premiered at Hampstead in 2014, and earlier this week it was announced that Firebird, Phil Davies debut play about child sexual exploitation, will transfer from Hampstead to the West End in February next year. 

Review: Mouthful at Trafalgar Studios 2

Mouthful

Trafalgar Studios 2

Reviewed on Wednesday 16th September 2015

★★★

Mouthful, a series of six short plays focusing on the global food crisis, is an uncomfortable watch. 

As we witnessed Tunisian parents struggle desperately for bread, and idealistic mothers face prison sentences for serving mashed potatoes, each careless sip from my bottled water felt increasingly abhorrent, each claggy, sugary recollection of my interval chocolate bar, became increasingly shameful. It's a stark and often didactic soapbox of an evening, as facts and graphics flash before our eyes, revealing the extent of our wasteful consumption, and the underlying truth of our lack of sustainability. Is it often harrowing? Certainly. Is it always dramatically satisfying? Unfortunately not.

Guest Blog: Robert Hands - The multi-roling actor

The experience of playing multiple parts in a theatre production has been a part of my career from its very beginning. 

My first professional job as an actor was with the now defunct English Shakespeare Company. When I joined them two days after graduating from drama school, they were doing a world tour of 'The wars of the Roses', the seven play history cycle going chronologically from Richard II right the way through to Richard III. My contract was a 'play as cast' contract. This essentially meant that I was obliged to play whatever they wanted me to as well as to understudy. I played a large assortment of servants, soldiers and Lords some (but not all ), with a few lines, as well as having some thirty six understudies to learn. 

I loved every minute of it. Even playing these tiny parts I relished the challenge of making them all different . It made me focus on ways in which they were different from me. Their different energies, their voices, the way they moved. I loved it at the time and I've always relished it when I've had the opportunity to do so since.

Review: My Children! My Africa! at Trafalgar Studios 2

My Children! My Africa!

Trafalgar Studios 2

Reviewed on Monday 10th August 2015
★★★★

Caged up like prizefighters in an underground boxing ring, conflicting ideals batter each other mercilessly in a struggle for dominance in Athol Fugard's My Children! My Africa! at Trafalgar Studios 2. 

Review: As Is at Trafalgar Studios 2

As Is
Trafalgar Studios 2
Reviewed on Saturday 4th July 2015
★★★★

Celebrating its thirtieth anniversary since premiering in New York, William M. Hoffman's play As Is remains an incredibly important piece of theatre. Tackling all sorts of issues and stereotypes surrounding AIDS, the piece both raises and answers important questions.

Steven Webb & David Poynor to star in As Is at Trafalgar Studios 2

Following a sell-out run at the Finborough Theatre in 2013, As Is by William M. Hoffman is transferring to Trafalgar Studios 2.

Directed by Andrew Keates, the play will open on 3rd July (previews from 1st July) for a limited run until 1st August 2015. 

Steven Webb (House of Boys/The Inbetweeners) and David Poynor (The Tempest/Peter Pan) will lead the cast. The pair previously starred together in The History Boys at the National Theatre in 2006.

Review: Bomber's Moon at Trafalgar Studios 2

Bomber's Moon
Trafalgar Studios 2
Reviewed on Friday 24th April 2015
★★★★

Beautifully touching and surprisingly funny, William Ivory's play Bomber's Moon has transferred to Trafalgar Studios 2 following its premiere at the Park Theatre. James Bolam plays former RAF gunner Jimmy who forms a strong bond with his new carer David, played by Steve John Shepherd.

Bomber's Moon transfers to Trafalgar Studios 2

James Bolam and Steve John Shepherd will star in Bomber's Moon by William Ivory at Trafalgar Studios 2.

The play opens on 24th April (previews from 20th April) and runs until 23rd May 2015. Bomber's Moon previously ran at the Park Theatre in 2014.

Former RAF gunner Jimmy finds his routine disrupted when sensitive care assistant David arrives – and his cantankerous outlook and colourful language seem to be more than David can handle. As Jimmy increasingly snaps back to the adrenaline-fuelled terror of his WWII bombing raids, and David’s new found faith is tested to breaking point, both men discover that a lasting peace is not easily won. 

Alex Ferns to star in August Strindberg's The Father at Trafalgar Studios 2

Laurie Slade’s new version of August Strindberg’s The Father is to be given its London premiere at Trafalgar Studios 2 this March. 

Directed by Abbey Wright, former Resident Assistant Director at the Donmar Warehouse, Slade’s contemporary adaptation of Strindberg’s masterpiece will star Alex Ferns as the Captain. The production opens on 17th March (previews from 11th March) and runs until 11th April 2015. 

Ferns previously played Trevor in BBC One’s EastEnders. He recently starred in Sam Shepherd’s True West at the Tricycle Theatre. The cast also includes: June Watson, Thomas Coombes, Emily Dobbs and Barnaby Sax, with further casting to be announced.

Harriet Walter & Guy Paul star in Boa at Trafalgar Studios 2

Casting has been announced for Clara Brennan’s two-hander Boa which opens at Trafalgar Studios 2 on 5th February and runs until 7th March 2015.

Fresh from her performance in Henry IV at the Donmar, Harriet Walter will star in this new play by award-winning young writer Clara Brennan (Channel 4 Playwright Award) alongside her husband, American actor Guy Paul. This marks the first time they have appeared together on the London stage.

Running for a limited five weeks, in front of only 98 people per night, the play is an acerbic, warm and honest account of a lifetime in love that tells the tender, powerful story of Louis, Belinda and their 30 years of overwhelming affection, wine, words and dance.

Review: Dessa Rose at Trafalgar Studios 2

Dessa Rose 
Trafalgar Studios 2
Reviewed on Thursday 31st July 2014
★★★

Following two young women on their journey to acceptance, Dessa Rose is an intriguingly spiritual piece of theatre. The musical centres around Dessa, a young black slave, and Ruth, a young white mother, who form an unlikely alliance. 

Their unique friendship sees the pair looking out for each other in various situations. Based on Sherley Anne Williams' novel, the story is told as Ruth and Dessa relive their ordeals and pass on their story to their grandchildren. 

Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's score is influenced by blues, folk, hymns and gospel music. These styles have been fused with musical theatre to create an incredibly refreshing style. 

This was my first time seeing a musical inside the tiny studio space at Trafalgar Studios and I was intrigued to see where the band would be positioned. Musicians are dotted around the space, with one even tucked away in the corner of the entrance. Whilst this looks a little odd, the sound is mesmerising - it is rare to hear instruments being played all around you.