Anthony Sher in DEATH OF A SALESMAN at the Noel Coward Theatre. The first thing you should know if you’re considering buying a ticket to see Sir Anthony Sher in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of DEATH OF A SALESMAN, written by Arthur Miller in 1949, is that you’ll be watching one of the greatest plays ever created.
Regarded by many as the American KING LEAR it contains all the drama, heartbreak and poignancy of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy whilst dramatising, not the disintegration of a magnificent monarch but, as the title suggests, the last days of a humble travelling salesmen, Willy Loman.
After much speculation and gossip, the producers of the sell-out Broadway show Motown the Musical have finally announced the West End venue that will house the smash-hit production. The Shaftesbury Theatre in the heart of London’s theatreland will be the new home of the Berry Gordy penned musical, set to open in late February 2016.
There are very few actors whose appearance in a film or TV show will make me want to watch it regardless of anything else. John Goodman is one of those actors so it was a great thrill to be able to see him live in the West End. It’s not that he’s particularly different in each performance. Even though he does a nice line in villains from time to time and occasionally flirts with an accent he always looks and sounds pretty much as he did as Dan Connor in the long running, hit sit-com Roseanne, which made him a household name.
A whole host of new cast members will take over many of the leading roles in the smash-hit West End production of Miss Saigon from 11 May 2015.
For musical theatre actresses the role of Momma Rose is like KING LEAR. In fact to get the chance to play it is even more prestigious. Anyone can have a stab at Lear where as permission to play the lead part in the musical GYPSY is jealously guarded by those who control the performing rights. Only actresses of great pedigree and track record are allowed to headline in this classic Broadway show.