Like so many people I’m a massive fan of the fantasy TV saga GAME OF THRONES so when it was announced that one of the show’s biggest stars, Kit Harington, who plays the central character Jon Snow, was to appear in the title role of DR FAUSTUS I knew there’d be a stampede at the box office.
So it has proved; with the play’s initial run at the Trafalgar Studios already booking heavily it’s been announced that it will transfer to The Duke of York’s Theatre for an additional three weeks in June.
Dr Faustus was written around 1592 by the dashing Christopher Marlowe. Reportedly murdered in his 20s for being a spy, many people, including me, believe the well educated, well travelled Marlowe, writing in hiding, is the most likely author of the plays usually attributed to the glove maker’s son, William Shakespeare!
Faustus has remained one of Marlowe’s most popular works down the centuries thanks to its heady mix of black magic and the forbidden. It concerns a young law student, Dr Faustus, (Harington’s role) who offers his soul to a demon in exchange for great knowledge. Their flight through time and space is worthy of television’s DR WHO.
Intriguingly the production boasts it will replace the middle section with two acts by contemporary playwright Colin Teevan to “offer a fresh perspective.”
In another departure from the norm the demon, Mephistopheles, is to be played by a woman, the brilliant Jenna Russell.
Completing the cast is Jade Anouka (Chef, Hamlet), Tom Edden (One Man Two Guvnors, Les Miserables), Danielle Flett (Hatched 'n' Dispatched) Brian Gilligan (The Commitments), Forbes Masson (Mr Foote's Other Leg), Craig Stein (Wicked) and Gabby Wong (Volpone).
Jamie Lloyd directs the production which will be designed by Soutra Gilmour, with lighting by Jon Clark, and music and sound by Ben and Max Ringham.
Actor / Director Kenneth Branagh’s PLAYS AT THE GARRICK season has really revitalised serious play going in the West End with a series of star led productions at the Garrick Theatre.