LIVE events at The Wellesley in November include two stage productions from the National Theatre and one of musical theatre’s greatest shows.
The National Theatre’s production of Simon Woods’ play Hansard on Thursday 7 November at 7pm comes at a time when scrutiny of parliamentary business – and frustration with politicians – has been at the forefront of the public’s attention.
The play is set on a summer’s morning in 1988. Tory politician Robin Hesketh has returned home to the idyllic Cotswold house he shares with his wife of 30 years, Diana. But she has a stinking hangover, a fox is destroying the garden and secrets are being dug up all over the place. As the day draws on, what starts as gentle ribbing and the familiar rhythms of marital sparring quickly turns to blood-sport as the two exchange insults ‘like fighting cocks’.
The Guardian’s theatre critic likened the play to ‘a Cotswold Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf’ with echoes of Private Lives. Its topicality is said to have drawn roars of approval from the audience on the opening night when one of the two characters asserted that the great mystery of our time is “the insatiable desire of the people of this country to be fucked by an Old Etonian”.
Alex Jennings and Lindsay Duncan – ‘on beady, withering form’ – co star in a play that draws humour from its sabotaging of a world of gilded privilege.
Two relays of the great Broadway musical 42nd Street starring Bonny Langford come to The Wellesley on Sunday 10 November at 5pm and on Tuesday 12 November at 7.30pm.
42nd Street has been called ‘the mother of all showbiz musicals’, a song and dance American dream fable of Broadway. Set in 1933 it tells the story of young Peggy Sawyer, fresh off the bus from small-town America and just another face in the chorus line on Broadway’s newest show. But when the leading lady gets injured, Peggy might just have the shot at stardom she’s always dreamed of.
When it arrived in London last year Broadway’s biggest show attracted rave reviews and nightly standing ovations. It features a cast of nearly 60 to deliver iconic songs such as 42nd Street, We’re In The Money, Lullaby of Broadway, Shuffle Off To Buffalo, Dames and I Only Have Eyes For You.
Noël Coward’s Present Laughter starring Andrew Scott (BBC’s Sherlock, Fleabag) comes LIVE to The Wellesley on Thursday 28 November at 7pm from London’s Old Vic.
The play tells the story of star actor Garry Essendine as he prepares to embark on an overseas tour. His colourful life is in danger of spiralling out of control as he is engulfed by an escalating identity crisis when his many and various relationships compete for his attention. Garry’s few remaining days at home are a chaotic whirlwind of love, sex, panic and soul-searching.
Andrew Scott has recently won plaudits from critics and audiences alike for his performances on the small screen; now, on stage he gives a ‘virtuosic performance, lending the hero, Garry Essendine, a mixture of twinkling charm and driving egomania characteristic of the kind of actor-manager Coward was portraying and possibly of the author himself. It is a richly funny performance.’
This revival of Coward’s semi-autobiographical play written in 1942 is ‘terrific fun’; highly recommended!’
Thursday 7 November at 7pm Hansard
Sunday 10 November at 5pm 42nd Street
Tuesday 12 November at 7.30pm 42nd Street
Thursdat 28 November at 7pm Present Laughter
Tickets and further information from The Wellesley Cinema’s website.