Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Christopher Hampton. Sort by date Show all posts

Monday, 12 December 2022

Rebecca to get its English Language Premiere

Following 12 hugely successful foreign language productions, critically acclaimed musical Rebecca by Michael Kunze and Sylvester Levay is to get its English language premiere in a new production at London’s Charing Cross Theatre in an English translation by Christopher Hampton

The hugely successful musical production by the Austrian musical producer VBW (Vereinigte Bühnen Wien) based on Daphne Du Maurier’s 1938 novel ‘Rebecca’ that has captivated more than 2 million people worldwide in 12 countries and 10 languages is to get its English language premiere in a new production at London’s Charing Cross Theatre.

Rebecca, by Michael Kunze and Sylvester Levay, two of the most successful German-language musical theatre composers, had its world premiere at the VBW-theatre Raimund Theater in Vienna, Austria, in September 2006, where it went on to play to sold-out houses in three seasons, and where it is currently enjoying a successful revival.

Rebecca will run at Charing Cross Theatre from 4 September - 18 November, 2023.

Press night is Monday 18 September, 2023 at 7.30pm.

Rebecca, with an orchestra of 18, will be directed by Alejandro Bonatto (director of the critically acclaimed production of Donizetti’s ‘Rita’ and the upcoming production of Francis Poulanc and Jean Cocteau’s ‘The Human Voice’ at Charing Cross Theatre later this month).

It has a new English translation by Christopher Hampton (two-time Tony Award winner Best Score & Best Book for ‘Sunset Boulevard’ and Oscar winner for Best Adapted Screenplay ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ & ‘The Father’) and Michael Kunze.

Cast to be announced.

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Thursday, 9 October 2025

National Theatre Announces Exciting 2026 Season with New Productions in London and New York

The National Theatre has unveiled further details about its 2026 season, marking a bold next chapter in the vision of Co-Chief Executives Indhu Rubasingham and Kate Varah to make world-class theatre accessible to audiences everywhere.

Deputy Artistic Director Robert Hastie will lead two major productions in spring 2026. In London, he directs Nina Raine and Moses Raine’s new adaptation of Maxim Gorky’s Summerfolk in the Olivier Theatre, a sharp, satirical look at class and complacency. Across the Atlantic, Hastie’s acclaimed production of Hamlet will transfer to BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), the first show in a new partnership that will see National Theatre productions transfer to BAM’s Harvey Theater and National Theatre Live screenings hosted at BAM’s Rose Cinemas.

Alongside performances, the National Theatre’s Learning team will collaborate with BAM on its (Re) Centering Theater) programme, giving Brooklyn students the opportunity to create, develop, and perform new work inspired by Hamlet. A free exhibition at BAM’s Rudin Family Gallery will also explore the legacy of Hamlet at both BAM and the National Theatre.

This collaboration with BAM and The Shed strengthens the National Theatre’s long-standing relationship with the US, celebrating 60 years of international productions. Further details about upcoming projects with The Shed will be announced soon.

“It feels deeply fitting to bring Hamlet to BAM next spring, especially as we mark 60 years of staging productions in the US”

said Indhu Rubasingham, Director and Co-Chief Executive of the National Theatre.

Kate Varah, Executive Director and Co-Chief Executive, added:

“Our goal is simple yet bold- to make world-class theatre accessible to everyone, everywhere. Through new partnerships with BAM, The Shed, and the Educational Theatre Association, we’re reaching thousands of schools and streaming our productions into homes across the US. This is theatre without borders.”

National Theatre 2026 Productions

Olivier Theatre: Summerfolk
From 6 March to 29 April 2026, Robert Hastie directs a fresh adaptation of Maxim Gorky’s Summerfolk by Nina Raine (Consent) and Moses Raine (Donkey Heart). Set in 1905 Russia, it follows a group of privileged friends whose summer of indulgence masks a looming storm of social change. The creative team includes Peter McKintosh (set and costume), Paul Pyant (lighting), and Nicola T. Chang (composer).

Lyttelton Theatre: Les Liaisons Dangereuses
From 21 March to 6 June 2026, Marianne Elliott (Angels in America) returns to direct a powerful new revival of Christopher Hampton’s adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ classic novel. The cast includes Lesley Manville, Aidan Turner, Monica Barbaro, and Gabrielle Drake, in a dazzling exploration of love, manipulation, and power.

Dorfman Theatre: Man and Boy
From 30 January to 14 March 2026, Anthony Lau (The Crucible) makes his National Theatre debut with Terence Rattigan’s Man and Boy, starring Ben Daniels and Laurie Kynaston. Set in 1930s New York, this gripping tale of ambition and betrayal follows a financier facing ruin during the Great Depression.

Dorfman Theatre: The Authenticator
From 26 March to 9 May 2026, award-winning writer Winsome Pinnock (Leave Taking) reunites with director Miranda Cromwell (Death of a Salesman) for The Authenticator, a gothic psychological thriller starring Rakie Ayola, Sylvestra Le Touzel, and Cherrelle Skeete. Set in a mysterious country estate, it explores buried secrets, artistic legacy, and truth’s dark corners.

Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), New York: Hamlet
From 19 April to 17 May 2026, Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) reprises his role as Hamlet in Robert Hastie’s acclaimed production at BAM’s Harvey Theater. This bold interpretation of Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy launches the National Theatre’s new partnership with BAM, bringing British theatre excellence to New York audiences.

Tickets for all 2026 National Theatre productions go on general sale from 23 October 2025.

National Theatre 2026 season, National Theatre productions, National Theatre London, National Theatre New York, BAM Hamlet, Robert Hastie Hamlet, Nina Raine Summerfolk, Les Liaisons Dangereuses National Theatre, Marianne Elliott, Winsome Pinnock The Authenticator, Ben Daniels Man and Boy, Hiran Abeysekera Hamlet, Indhu Rubasingham, Kate Varah, National Theatre BAM partnership, British theatre in New York, National Theatre tickets, Olivier Theatre, Lyttelton Theatre, Dorfman Theatre, London theatre 2026

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Wednesday, 11 April 2018

Sunset Boulevard (UK Tour), New Wimbledon Theatre | Review

Sunset Boulevard (UK Tour)

New Wimbledon Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 10th April 2018 by Glenys Balchin

★★★★★

Sunset Boulevard is wonderful musical with great music, amazing performers, awesome staging and lighting and superb costumes and makeup. The atmosphere on opening night was electric and the New Wimbledon theatre provided an iconic setting for this fabulous musical.

I had my trepidation’s about whether I was going to enjoy Sunset Boulevard. I had seen the film telling the dark tale of the fading Hollywood silent screen goddess trying to make a comeback who gets intwined in a dark world with her young screenwriter and lover; but I doubted how it would work as a musical. How wrong was I to doubt this wonderful operatic music of Andrew Lloyd Webber alongside the brilliant writing and lyrics of Christopher Hampton and Don Black. The melodramatic film-framework is embellished to bring Sunset Boulevard up to the heights of a Grand Opera.

The entire cast must be congratulated on their performance but in particular Ria Jones who is sensational. Her character interpretation is phenomenal as she becomes Norma Desmond. She engages with the audience immediately as we're drawn into her world of despair and the larger than life dramatisation of sorrow grief of yesteryear.

To go with that outstanding acting performance is Ria's fantastic voice- how does that voice come from such a diminutive frame!? I have to say I was wondering how Ria would compare with the voraciousness of Gloria Swanson in the 50’s movie, well she did! What’s more-she is every inch a frightening diva; as Norma tumbles into madness in the final scene - “Mr DeMille Lights Cameras” Ria Jones herself has reached the realms of a superstar and I can’t wait to see her in another production.

Moving on to Ria ‘s co-star, Danny Mac, the Strictly Come Dancing finalist really holds his own against the formidable singing voices of Ria Jones and Adam Pearce. As Danny’s ex strictly judge would say “I didn’t like it I LOVED it” his performance is excellent, enjoyable, energetic, easy on the eye and his rendition of Sunset Boulevard is extraordinary.

Special mention of the fabulous Max, Norma's butler played by Adam Pearce who's voice is astounding and Molly Lynch who gives a mesmerising performance playing sweet Betty.

The scenery is particularly atmospheric. On the top it's fairly simplistic but once you look closer there's a level of complexity which is intrinsic to the whole plot developing. The use of lighting and old films gives you shivers down the spine, as if you are a prisoner in that oppressive mansion yourself.

The costumes capture the Hollywood era perfectly, bringing glitz and glamour. Norma’s flamboyant, elegant and surreal costumes, life and personality really make her one of the most iconic of characters.

Last but not least, praise must go to the orchestra who provide the heartbeat of the musical playing the opulent and lavish musical scores of Andrew Lloyd Webber, which are resounding in my head from last night. The songs provided magical moments bringing the whole show together as the cast performed them pitch perfectly.

I cannot praise this show enough, it was a wonderful experience to watch this truly brilliant cast transfer me to a world of “make believe”. The thing I love about theatre is it's escapism, the world of suspense from reality and when I see a show like this it makes me to want to go more and more. So, if there's one theatre trip you have to do this year, make it Sunset Boulevard!

Sunset Boulevard runs at the New Wimbledon Theatre until April 14th before continuing it's UK Tour.

photo credit: Manuel Harlan

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