London Spotlight: November 2009

Debbie Allen’s production of Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof makes its West End bow at the Novello (November 21-April 10). It’s an import from Manhattan and includes James Earl Jones and Phylicia Rashad from this ground-breaking production’s original Broadway African-American cast. In addition, the troubled Brick is Adrian Lester, while Sanaa Lathan plays Maggie the Cat.

Michael Bennet’s new play, The Habit of Art (National’s Lyttelton Theatre, beginning November 5) examines the stormy relationship between Benjamin Britten and W.H. Auden, with those parts inhabited by Alex Jennings and Richard Griffiths, respectively. The cast also features Frances de la Tour, Adrian Scarborough, John Heffernan, Elliot Levey, and Stephen Wight.

At the adventurous Arcola, the great Henry Goodman will be appearing as Edgar Degas in the premiere of Timberlake Wertenbaker’s play The Line (November 18-December 12), directed by Matthew Lloyd. Others included in the attention-riveting preem are the wonderful Selina Cadell and designer William Dudley. Feeling like trotting to scenic Bath? If so, drop in at the Theatre Royal, where Jonathan Pryce will be tucking into Harold Pinter’s grim comedy The Caretaker (November 2-7) under Christopher Morahan’s direction.

Ivo van Hove, who never does anything straight-forwardly, brings Roman Tragedies to the Barbican (November 20-22). It’s his shuffling of Coriolanus, Julius Caesar, and Antony and Cleopatra. How much it derives from Shakespeare is anyone’s guess, but it’s the only new piece this frame that even conjures thoughts of the Bard. The Young Vic’s workshop treatment of Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya (November 4-14) is billed as “boldly reinterpreted” by director Joe Hill-Gibbins. Also notable is Marilyn and Ella at the Apollo (November 15-29), which links Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald. The story goes that it was the former who got Hollywood’s Mocambo to change its whites-only policy and book the latter. Preceding the bio-tuner at the Apollo will be Michael Bruce: A Little Less Ordinary (November 1-29). He’s a new and lauded tunesmith.

On the new play docket at the National’s Olivier is Mark Ravenhill’s Nation, adapted from the Terry Pratchett novel (November 11-February 21). Directed by Melly Still and featuring a large cast, the story is about two survivors in “a parallel world” after a natural disaster. The Royal Court is offering a pair of new pieces. Downstairs is The Priory by Michael Wynne (November 19-January 9). This one is a comedy taking place on New Year’s Eve 2010, and the amusing Rupert Penry-Jones is in the cast. Upstairs is Mike Bartlett’s Cock (November 13-December 19), which follows a gay guy who discovers he might not be so thoroughly gay. Ben Whishaw and Andrew Scott are under James MacDonald’s direction. Robin Soans’ Mixed Up North, which deals with an ethnically divided Lancashire mill-town community, plays Wilton’s Music Hall (November 10-December 5). Max Stafford-Clark is the director, and that counts for plenty.

At the Hampstead is I Found My Horn (November 10-November 28) by Jonathan Guy Lewis and Jasper Rees. It concerns co-author Rees’ decision to take up his French horn after a 25-year lapse and play a Mozart concerto in front of an audience. It features co-author Lewis. At the Soho is Chloe Moss’ This Wide Night (November 24-December 5), in which a woman just released from prison connects with an old friend to mixed results. The Tricycle, which likes to keep things political, has Detaining Justice by Bola Agbaje (November 25-December 15). Here, a man fights for asylum.

Since Christmas seems to come earlier every year, it’s not too surprising that Christmas With the Rat Pack ring-a-dings in at the Adelphi this month (November 24-January 3). It’s even less of a shock that the pantomime shows — known affectionately here as “pantos” — also get underway, usually with families in mind. Jack and the Beanstalk is at the Lyric Hammersmith (November 21-January 3). Aladdin is at the Hackney Empire (November 28-January 9). Also aimed at families is The Gruffalo (November 25-January 10). This one’s about a mouse, a fox, an owl and the title character, all drummed up by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Also family-oriented at the above-mentioned Lyric Hammersmith is Christmas Baking Time (November 27-January 3), which has two playful bakers fighting the elements to perform their culinary tasks.
Parents and grandparents may also want to note that The Nutcracker is at the Royal Opera House (November 26-January 1).