It’s interesting how London Theatre goes through trends. Last year everyone was doing Greek drama this year there’s a rash of venues staging classics with women in Shakespeare roles written for men.
Tamsin Greig will play Malvolio in the National Theatre's forthcoming production of TWELFTH NIGHT.
I’ve directed a production in which the pompous, much put upon and sexually humiliated steward is a woman rather than a man and it works very well, bringing a whole new dimension to the sexuality of the piece. I have no doubt that Greig’s extraordinary comic timing will make the project a must-see treat.
It’s also been announced that Michelle Terry will play the title role in that most macho of plays HENRY V, at Regent's Park Theatre later this year. Robert Hastie's production will run in the open air venue from June 17 to July 9.
Hastie said: "Michelle has the compassion, the wit and the imagination that mark out the really great Shakespearean actors. I'm thrilled by what she'll bring to Henry. There’s no one I'd like to see play this part more."
Glenda Jackson, a massive star from the 1960s – 1980s is returning to the theatre after a spell in politics to play King Lear at the Old Vic. It’s unclear yet whether they’ll convert the role to a queen or whether Jackson will personify the old man regardless of her gender.
On a much smaller scale I’ll also be directing a Lear with a woman in the title role when I revive my Union Theatre production at The Actors Centre this September. Based on our experiences first time around I can tell you that turning the central figure from a patriarch to a matriarch brings out fascinating new textures and themes in the play. A mother turning on her daughters provides a different perspective of familial cruelty and replacing the usual wounded bear of a king with the much subtler struggles of a woman clinging to power and sanity is fascinating.
We’re all in for some very interesting gender-bending theatre!
Great news from the Charing Cross Theatre where my friends, the director Thom Southerland and producer Danielle Tarento are to helm a new season of musical theatre.