Latest news with #MatthewDunster
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lily Allen gets ready for her return to the West End as she shares glimpse at her preparations to take on iconic role of tragic heroine Hedda Gabler
Lily Allen is hard at work preparing to make her return to the West End, as she shared a slew of snaps from her rehearsals to play the famous role of Hedda Gabler. The singer, 40, is set to star in a new re-imagining of Henrik Ibsen's iconic play, Hedda, at the end of this month at the Theatre Royal Bath's Ustinov Studio. The production is being adapted and directed by Matthew Dunster, who also directed both of Lily's previous West End shows, and will run from 25 July to 23 August. And the Not Fair star gave fans a glimpse into her preparation process, as she shared selfies of her learning her lines in a rehearsal space. She also snapped a shot of her legs as she lounged on a sofa, with her hefty script open on her lap and her lines highlighted. Captioning the post, Lily teased her excitement at returning to the stage, as she wrote: 'WEST END GIRL'. Lily Allen is hard at work preparing to make her return to the West End, as she shared a slew of snaps from her rehearsals to play the famous role of Hedda Gabler The BRIT Award winner will star in Hedda opposite Imogen Stubbs, Ciaran Owens, Julia Chan and Tom Austen. A synopsis of the production reads: 'Returning from her honeymoon and already bored with her marriage, Hedda finds herself shattered by a destructive attraction to a seemingly brilliant but dissolute writer and blackmailed by an older predatory man. 'Suffocated and betrayed by these violent forces, there is only one choice left to her…' Lily's casting was announced in May last year, with her gushing she was thrilled to be playing the tragic heroine in a the intimate Ustinov Studio, which has a maximum capacity of just 126. While director Matthew explained at the time: 'Lily and I were talking about women we knew that were trapped in relationships where men had all the power, and how these 21st-century women were still being controlled and destroyed. 'The conversation turned to plays where we could explore those ideas. We thought of Hedda Gabler and the connections were obvious, exciting and devastating.' He added that their version of the famous Norwegian tragedy, would be 'absolutely for now'. It marks Lily's third turn at treading the boards, after making her West End debut in the summer of 2021, in supernatural thriller, 2:22 A Ghost Story. She was the first to play the character of Jenny - a part that has since been played by the likes of Cheryl, Constance Wu, and Stacey Dooley - and received rave reviews for her 'terrific stage presence'. Critics praised her as 'magnetic' and 'superb' and declared she gave 'a notably confident performance that belies her newcomer status.' She bagged her first Oliver Award nomination for the role and won the Best Actress gong at the WhatsOnStage Awards in 2022. The mother-of-two came back to the stage in 2023, starring in Martin McDonagh's production of The Pillowman opposite Steve Pemberton. She played Katurian in the revival of the 2003 play, which follows the fiction writer as she is imprisoned by a totalitarian state. She was the first woman to take on the role, after David Tennant portrayed the leading character in the original 2003 Olivier award-winning play. Speaking about the decision to cast a woman in the role, Lily told The Telegraph: 'I think it will add an extra layer of horror, because we're not used to seeing women being beaten up. 'It will be shocking, in that sense. I also feel that men don't necessarily get the same c**p for their artistic output that women do.'
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lily Allen to play destructive and betrayed character in new Hedda Gabler adaptation this summer
Lily Allen is set to take on the role as Hedda Gabler in a new adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's play this summer at Theatre Royal Bath's Ustinov Studio. Directed by Matthew Dunster, Lily is the first to star in the new re-imagined show. Lily, 40, who split from husband David Harbout late last year, will return to the stage July 25 until August 23 thanks to the success of 2:22 A Ghost Story and The Pillowman. It's the role described as 'the hoop through which every actress with her eye on greatness must jump.' Ingrid Bergman, Peggy Ashcroft, Maggie Smith, Diana Rigg, Cate Blanchett, Glenda Jackson and Rosamund Pike have all played Ibsen's manipulative, tragic heroine Hedda. It will be only her third stage role, following a well-received stint in 2:22 A Ghost Story — in which she was directed by Dunster — and a slightly less well-received performance in Martin McDonagh's The Pillowman. She told DailyMail's Alison Boshoff last year: 'I am absolutely thrilled to be given the chance of playing Hedda Gabler. 'I adore working with Matthew Dunster and can't wait to explore this piece with him. 'I'm very excited to bring her to Bath next summer, in the intimacy of the Ustinov studio, it's going to be great.' Matthew added: 'Lily and I were talking about women we knew that were trapped in relationships where men had all the power, and how these 21st century women were still being controlled and destroyed. 'The conversation turned to plays where we could explore those ideas. We thought of Hedda Gabler and the connections were obvious, exciting and devastating. 'I relish watching Lily challenge herself, she pushes me, and I really value our ongoing collaboration. 'We want to offer up a Hedda that is absolutely for now.' Lily snagged an Olivier Award nomination for 2:22 A Ghost Story. Before then she had a small role as actress Elizabeth Taylor in the 2020 film How To Build A Girl, which was produced by her mother, Alison Owen, and based on the book by Caitlin Moran. She was also in the comedy series Margate. Lily enrolled in drama school in New York in 2023 and remarked that it was the first time she had studied since leaving school aged 15. She added that live theatre was: 'utterly terrifying; I don't think I've ever been more scared than before the opening nights'.
Wales Online
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
New Cardiff date for Oasis show inspired by Britpop feud with Blur
New Cardiff date for Oasis show inspired by Britpop feud with Blur The Battle is a new comedy that will relive the heady summer of 1995, when Blur and Oasis went head-to-head in the 'greatest chart battle of all time' - and the play is coming to Cardiff Oasis' Liam Gallagher and Blur's Damon Albarn go head to head in a charity football match back in 1996 (Image: mirrorpix ) A new comedy production, inspired by the infamous 1990s Britpop rivalry between Blur and Oasis, is set to debut - and it will head to Cardiff on a major UK tour before the West End. Billed as a "new comedy based (mostly) on real events", The Battle revisits the pivotal summer of 1995, when Blur and Oasis engaged in the "greatest chart battle of all time". This epic clash began with both bands releasing singles on the same day, sparking a heated competition for the top spot between Blur's Country House and Oasis' Roll With It. However, this musical showdown soon evolved into a cultural phenomenon, pitting the polished, art-school intellectuals from the South against the unapologetic, raw talent from the North, reports the Manchester Evening News. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . Renowned screenwriter and Sunday Times best-selling novelist John Niven (O'Brother, Kill Your Friends, How To Build A Girl) makes his stage play debut with The Battle. The production is directed by Matthew Dunster (2:22 A Ghost Story, The Pillowman). The Battle will take the stage at Cardiff's Wales Millennium Centre from Tuesday, April 28 – Saturday, May 2, 2026, as part of its extensive UK tour before reaching the West End. Theatre officials promise an unforgettable experience, urging audiences to "Get ready to roll with it." This wickedly funny production delves into one of rock history's most iconic rivalries, featuring larger-than-life personalities, explosive confrontations, and the cutthroat world of power, pride, and unbridled competitiveness. Theatre enthusiasts are in for a treat with the new comedy that delves into the notorious Gallagher brothers' world, complete with their signature expletives and incisive banter, immersing audiences in the midst of sibling rivalry, stardom, and the subsequent fallout. The Battle: Blur v Oasis is a new comedy play going on UK tour in 2026 including to Cardiff (Image: The Battle ) Playwright John Niven said: "1995: a time long before music splintered into a billion different Tik Tok feeds. "When music was so central to the culture that two pop groups could dominate the entire summer, the evening news and the front page of every newspaper in the country. "We're going to take you back there. I've never written for the stage before, and it has been an absolute blast to do so for the first time with a producer as supportive as Simon and a director as talented as Matthew." Director Matthew Dunster also shared his excitement and said: "I remember the Battle of the Bands. I remember the charts that week. "Music mattered. I remember being in my twenties in 1995. "What a wild time. Full of energy, naughtiness and hilarity. "Just like John Niven's play. I'm so delighted to be working with John on such a punchy, hilarious and revealing comedy about two of the best bands of all time, Blur and Oasis." Producer Simon Friend reminisced about how his sister was an ardent fan of Damon Albarn during her teens, with a colossal poster of the singer adorning her wall and remembered fervent debates with friends about their preferred bands. He said: "Throughout my sister's teenage years, she had an enormous poster of Damon Albarn on her wall, and I remember her falling out with friends over which band they loved more. "Ever since, this story has been in the back of my mind, and I was delighted that John Niven agreed to write it because there is no more qualified or hilarious chronicler of this world, and combined with Matthew Dunster directing, we have a fearless team recreating the sweaty mid-'90s carnage of The Battle of Britpop." With its debut set for Birmingham, The Battle is a production put together by Melting Pot, Birmingham Rep and Gavin Kalin, and is scheduled to tour throughout the UK following its premiere. For those eager to attend, general ticket sales kick off at 10 am on Friday, May 2, with purchases available through ATG here. The lineup of The Battle tour dates stretches into the year 2025. Following its World Premiere in Birmingham, the tour is set to travel across the UK, stopping at: Article continues below Leicester's Curve Theatre from Tuesday, March 10 – Saturday, March 14 Manchester's Opera House from Tuesday, March 17 - Saturday, March 21 Bromley's Churchill Theatre from Tuesday, March 24 – Saturday, March 28 Woking's New Victoria Theatre from Tuesday, March 31 – Saturday, April 4 Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre from Tuesday, April 14 – Saturday, April 18 Edinburgh's Festival Theatre from Tuesday, April 21 – Saturday, April 25 Cardiff's Wales Millennium Centre from Tuesday, April 28 – Saturday, May 2 Sheffield's Lyceum Theatre from Tuesday, May 5 – Saturday, May 9 Ipswich's Regent Theatre from Tuesday, May 12 – Saturday, May 16 London's Richmond Theatre from Tuesday, May 19 - Saturday, May 23 Glasgow's Theatre Royal from Tuesday, May 26 – Saturday, May 30 York's Grand Opera House from Tuesday, June 9 – Saturday, June 13 Norwich's Theatre Royal from Tuesday, June 16 – Saturday, June 20 Nottingham's Theatre Royal from Tuesday, June 23 – Saturday, June 27 Milton Keynes Theatre from Tuesday, June 30 – Saturday, July 4 Newcastle's Theatre Royal from Tuesday, July 7 – Saturday, July 11 Brighton's Theatre Royal from Tuesday, July 14 – Saturday, July 18 Chester's Storyhouse Theatre from Tuesday, July 28 – Saturday, August 1
Glasgow Times
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
New comedy about Blur and Oasis rivalry heading to Glasgow
The Battle, presented by Melting Pot and Birmingham Rep, charts the summer of 1995, when Blur and Oasis went head-to-head in a legendary chart race. It will run at the city's Theatre Royal from May 26 until May 30, 2026. READ MORE: Glasgow to be hotter than Ibiza in summer burst this week Written by Sunday Times bestselling novelist and screenwriter John Niven, and directed by acclaimed theatre-maker Matthew Dunster, the play dives into the heart of the Britpop explosion — exploring the friendships, feuds, fame, and fallout that came to define an unforgettable era. John Niven said: '1995: a time long before music splintered into a billion different TikTok feeds. "When music was so central to the culture that two pop groups could dominate the entire summer, the evening news and the front page of every newspaper in the country. "We're going to take you back there. I've never written for the stage before, and it has been an absolute blast to do so for the first time with a producer as supportive as Simon and a director as talented as Matthew.' READ MORE: Watch this TV star go viral with impromptu Glasgow bar performance Set in London at the height of Britpop, the play brings to life the chaos of the Brit Awards, the frenzied tabloid wars, and the moment two bands dominated headlines, airwaves, and living rooms across the country. Matthew Dunster said: 'I remember the Battle of the Bands. I remember the charts that week. Music mattered. "I remember being in my twenties in 1995. What a wild time. Full of energy, naughtiness and hilarity. "Just like John Niven's play. I'm so delighted to be working with John on such a punchy, hilarious and revealing comedy about two of the best bands of all time, Blur and Oasis.' READ MORE: Fresh wine bar and bottle shop announces Glasgow opening date Simon Friend, the producer, added: 'Throughout my sister's teenage years, she had an enormous poster of Damon Albarn on her wall, and I remember her falling out with friends over which band they loved more. "Ever since, this story has been in the back of my mind, and I was delighted that John Niven agreed to write it because there is no more qualified or hilarious chronicler of this world, and combined with Matthew Dunster directing, we have a fearless team recreating the sweaty mid-'90s carnage of The Battle of Britpop.' John Niven, a former music industry insider turned bestselling author, is known for Kill Your Friends, The Trip, and How to Build A Girl.
