Latest news with #OldVic
Daily Mail
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Like a rolling stone, the marvellous Girl From The North Country has rocked back up at the Old Vic theatre...and 8 years on, it's even better than the first time round, says Georgina Brown
Girl From The North Country (Old Vic, London) Verdict: Knocking on Heaven's Door Rating: Conor McPherson's play set in 1930's depression era America is thrice blessed: by McPherson's extraordinary talent as a writer and director for creating a mood; by a remarkable ensemble of actors-singers-dancers playing the failures, fugitives and afflicted who inhabit his play; and by a soundtrack of 23 of Bob Dylan 's songs. He is the only playwright whom Dylan has favoured with such an opportunity. Beautifully integrated and transformed by Simon Hale's bewitching arrangements, the music seems to express the near inexpressible emotions of lost souls blowing in the wind. Revived at the Old Vic, where it started life in 2017, it is even more potent this time round. Back then, we wondered if it would work. Now we know it's a work of wonder. McPherson gathers his misfits in a run-down boarding house in Duluth, Minnesota. Best known for his haunting play, The Weir, he has a feel for lives trailed by the ghosts of dreams turned to dust. On Rae Smith's sepia-toned set, hotelier Nick (Colin Connor) is preparing stew for his guests, all in a rut or on the run. Dementia has robbed his wife Elizabeth of all inhibitions. An outstanding Katy Brayben sings like an angel, stamps like a rock star and dances like a whirling dervish. Meanwhile, Nick is failing to persuade his teenage pregnant black daughter Marianne (Justina Kehinde, marvellous) to accept a 70-year-old widower's offer of marriage. His wannabe-writer son Gene is drowning in rejection slips and drink. His widowed mistress (sparkling Maria Omakinwa) is plotting a way out. The respectable couple with a simple son are hiding something. There's nothing godly about Eugene McCoy's Bible-seller - but there's a true gentleness about Sifiso Mazibuko's once award-winning boxer. The first half finishes with a beautiful, heart-chilling, choral rendition of Like A Rolling Stone but this time, unlike the original production, the evening ends with a redemptive Moving On. Special, and not to be missed. Girl From The North Country is at the Old Vic until August 23. Nye (Olivier, National Theatre) Verdict: The end is Nye Rating: The end is Nye for Rufus Norris as Artistic Director of the National Theatre. His legacy show is a relaunch of last year's play by Tim Price starring Welsh superman Michael Sheen as the Welsh Labour politician Aneurin Bevan — the man who pushed through the foundation of the NHS after the Second World War. It commemorates his life, by recreating key scenes from it, while Nye hallucinates on morphine following surgery for a peptic ulcer in 1959. (The surgery revealed that he was actually dying of cancer.) Price has tweaked the play somewhat but it remains a two-hour 40-minute piece of high-spirited political hagiography. We learn of early experience fighting a speech impediment in an 'I am Spartacus' moment of school room collective action. You could even call it class war. But Nye really finds his voice in Tredegar Council, before becoming the Member for Ebbw Vale in Parliament and getting up the nose of both Neville Chamberlain and Winston Churchill. At one point, the ghost of his father takes him down the mines to show him how to bring down the most coal by 'striking' in the right place. With Sheen wearing pyjamas throughout, and the huge green hospital curtains of Vicki Mortimer's stage design acting as veils of consciousness, Norris's production is certainly ingenious. Yet its invention masks a deeply nostalgic and deferential attitude. What could have been a coruscating indictment of today's low-alcohol left feels more like an obsequious and sentimental epitaph. National Theatre, London, until August 16; Wales Millennium Centre August 22-30.
Time Out
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Lenny Henry, Minnie Driver, Sue Perkins and Ambika Mod are starring in this summer's must see London play
Playwright Duncan Macmillan is the king of the slow burner: his 2011 fringe play Lungs debuted in 2011 in semi-obscurity until eight years later it was revived in a massive Old Vic production starring Matt Smith and Clare Foy. Now his 2014 play Every Brilliant Thing goes a few years better – finally making its debut in the West End this summer. The play is a deeply touching, often very funny monologue about an unnamed narrator who has – since childhood – obsessively kept a list of every single thing they think is good about the world (no matter how trivial), initially as a way of cheering their mum up, but later themself. It's an intimate show about living with depression that has been translated into dozens of languages but has rarely been seen in big theatres. But next month Every Brilliant Thing finally makes the leap to the West End's newest and most intimate theatre @sohoplace. You'll be able to see it performed by Jonny Donahoe, who co-created it and has done most previous UK performances. But he's getting a little celebrity help. Quite a lot, in fact: there will be five performers taking on the the show this time. In August Donahoe and Lenny Henry will be splitting the role (to be clear there will be a single performer per show, with Henry taking on the lion's share); during September it'll be Sue Perkins and rising star Ambika Mod; and for just added October dates Henry and Donahoe will return for a bit before Hollywood actor Minnie Driver takes over for the end of the run. An intimate play that relies heavily on the audience and the personality of the performer, the revival promises to be quite the treat, and a real pick me up for the London's traditionally sleepy August theatre scene.
Powys County Times
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Powys farmer reprising role in Bob Dylan 'Old Vic' musical
A Powys farmer has swapped the farmyard for the stage as he reprises his role in an Olivier and Tony award-winning musical now showing in London. Steffan Harri Jones says it is an "incredibly privilege" to make his debut at The Old Vic theatre, in the Great Depression-era musical Girl from the North Country which features songs written by legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. The 33-year-old, who has performed in hit West End shows Shrek, Les Misérables and Spamalot, plays Elias Burke in the musical which runs until Saturday, August 23. 'I feel incredibly privileged to be making my debut at the Old Vic in London," Steffan said. "It's a theatre with such a rich legacy. "So many extraordinary artists have stood on that stage, and to now be a part of that history is both humbling and thrilling. 'I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity, and I'm approaching every moment with real joy and respect for the space, the story we're telling, and the people I get to share it with. 'Each show I've been a part of has shaped me in different and lasting ways. 'Performing in Les Misérables taught me the discipline and emotional depth that comes with being part of such an iconic and demanding show. 'Spamalot, on the other hand, gave me the freedom to play, to embrace spontaneity and comedy with confidence. 'And taking on the title role in Shrek the Musical was a real turning point. It challenged me physically and vocally but also allowed me to lead a company and find real heart in a larger-than-life character. Steffan was the youngest actor to play the role of Shrek. 'Each role has helped me grow, not just in skill, but in understanding how to connect with an audience and serve a story with honesty.' The former Caersws FC goalkeeper is taking a break from managing the family farm in Dolanog, near Llanfair Caereinion, alongside his wife and West End actress Rosie, to perform in Girl from the North Country. 'At the beginning of the Covid pandemic, my wife Rosie and I made the decision to leave London and return to the family farm," Steffan said. "It was a big change, but the right one for us. 'Together, we now manage the farm full-time, with the invaluable support of our family and friends. 'It's been both a challenging and rewarding journey, and we truly believe this area is the perfect place for our young son to grow up, surrounded by nature and a strong sense of community.'
Metro
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
EastEnders star Frank Barrie dies aged 88 as tributes are paid
Former EastEnders star Frank Barrie has died aged 88. The actor, who rose to fame when he joined the Bristol Old Vic theatre company in 1965, passed away on June 30th. His agent – Scott Marshall Partners – confirmed the sad news in a statement today. 'It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved client, Frank Barrie, at the age of 88,' they wrote. 'He died peacefully at home, with his wife Mary and daughter Julia.' Frank appeared in 23 episodes of the BBC soap between December 2010 and May 2011 as Edward Bishop, a friend of Dot Branning (June Brown). His character was the choirmaster at a Walford church which was attended by several Albert Square residents. He immediately struck up a friendship with Dot, and the two continued to cross paths over the following months. Things soon turned sour when he began to take her ailing husband Jim (John Barden) to the park and bookies, and feared it could worsen his health. She became humiliated when Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson) branded Edward her 'fancy man', and decided to cut contact. Later, they reconciled, but Dot's worst fears were confirmed when he tried to make a move on her. The two then cut contact for good. On Instagram, EastEnders have paid tribute. 'We are deeply saddened to hear that Frank Barrie has passed away,' a statement reads. 'Our love and thoughts are with Frank's family and friends.' Early in his career, Frank received critical acclaim for his stage performances, and starred alongside Derek Jacobi and Joan Plowright after being invited by Sir Laurence Olivier to join the National Theatre. More Trending His most recent stage role came in May 2022, when he appeared as Harry Flashman in Flashman at 80. On screen he played two guest characters in former daytime serial drama Doctors, and a number of roles in BBC Two's Play of the Day/Month/Week. View More » In 1964 he starred as William Cook in ITV soap opera Emergency Ward 10, and several years later as Harry Fleeson in police drama Z-Cars. If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. MORE: Friends of Gregg Wallace claim autism caused 'inability to wear underwear' MORE: BBC soap actor Iain Robertson facing trial for rape MORE: Hugh Grant does 'the most Hugh Grant thing ever' by falling asleep at Wimbledon
Evening Standard
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
Ex-EastEnders star and prolific theatre actor Frank Barrie dies aged 88
On the stage, Barrie was a member of Sir Laurence Olivier's National Theatre Company at the Old Vic, and was praised for his numerous Shakespearean and other stage roles, including The Woman In Black and Lunch With Marlene.
