The Best Man is an intriguing political smear-fest where one politician’s private medical records are set against another’s alleged sexual predilections. The fact that the play is set in the America of 1960 explains why the latter “smear” would have had more traction then than it would in today’s rainbow-pigmented political scene but, given that, it is amazing how little American politics has changed in the intervening 58 years. There was as much fake news back then as there is now - it’s just … [Read more...]
Playhouse Theatre London Tickets - News & Reviews
The PLAYHOUSE THEATRE
The Royal Avenue Theatre had its first production on the 11th March 1882 with a revival of Offenbach’s Madame Favart. The prefix “Royal” was very soon dropped from the theatre’s name. Comic operas, burlesques and similar shows remained the main source of entertainment for several years. For much of this time, Arthur Roberts, a very popular star of music halls led the company at the Avenue Theatre.
In the early 1890s the emphasis of productions changed to drama and in 1894 Miss Horniman, the tea heiress, later a pioneer of the repertory movement, anonymously sponsored actress Florence Farr in a season of plays. Unfortunately, the first production wasn’t successful, however Miss Farr persuaded her friend, George Bernard Shaw, to complete his play, Arms and the Man, as a quick replacement which resulted in his first West End production.
It was enough to convince him to drop his music critique in favour of play writing. The theatre re-opened as The Playhouse Theatre on 28th January 1907 with a one-act play called The Drums of Oudh together with a play called Toddles, by Tristan Bernard and Andre Godferneaux. Since that time the Playhouse has hosted the likes of W S Gilbert, legendary actress-manager Gladys Cooper, the BBC, The Almeida Theatre Company, The Peter Hall Company, and Janet McTeer. In January 2003, Maidstone Productions took over the ownership of the Theatre.
Maidstone Productions, owned by London and Broadway producers Ted and Norman Tulchin, has been behind a number of hit productions on both sides of the Atlantic. In March 2003, the Ambassador Theatre Group took over the ownership of the Playhouse Theatre.
The Best Man Tickets London | Playhouse Theatre
Bill Kenwright presents Martin Shaw in the West End premiere of Gore Vidal’s sharp political drama The Best Man, at The Playhouse Theatre. Written and produced on Broadway nearly 60 years ago, long before the battles of Trump vs Clinton and May vs Corbyn, The Best Man never achieved a West End transfer at the time because it was thought that American politics were of no real interest to London audiences. Martin Shaw is William Russell, esteemed ex-Secretary of State and US presidential … [Read more...]
The Best Man at The Playhouse Theatre from 24 February 2018
Bill Kenwright presents Martin Shaw in the West End premiere of Gore Vidal’s sharp political drama The Best Man, at The Playhouse Theatre from Saturday 24th February, with press night Monday 5th March at 7.00pm. Written and produced on Broadway nearly 60 years ago, long before the battles of Trump vs Clinton and May vs Corbyn, The Best Man never achieved a West End transfer at the time because it was thought that American politics were of no real interest to London audiences. Martin Shaw … [Read more...]
Shona White announced as Patron of The Playhouse Theatre
Scottish actress, singer and musical theatre star Shona White has accepted an invitation to become Patron of The Playhouse Theatre in London’s West End. Shona White said “I am thrilled to become Patron of such an historic venue which holds a special place in my heart. I am looking forward to supporting The Playhouse as it goes from strength to strength”. As a well-established leading lady, Shona has played a number of iconic roles including Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show at The … [Read more...]
Review of Glengarry Glen Ross at The Playhouse Theatre
The sharp-tongued salesmen of David Mamet’s 1983 work are revived at the Playhouse, starring Christian Slater as the nihilistic top dog of the office, Roma. Set within a Chinese restaurant and the burgled real estate office, the ominous, vacuous 80s staging (designed by Chiara Stephenson) is the perfect backdrop to watch these men undo themselves over a competition nobody can ultimately win. Everyone is just trying to get ahead; the game is simple but circular. The old hands struggle with … [Read more...]
Review of Derren Brown: Underground at The Playhouse Theatre
Walking out of the theatre it dawns on me - I just saw the most incredible performance! The feelings of elation, wonder and bewilderment are overwhelming, but then I start to question; did I just see something incredible? Or, is that is that just part of the lie? Thus begins the somewhat unsettling and confronting processes of attempting to make sense of a Derren Brown performance, and frankly, I have to admit - I’m not sure of anything anymore! A true magician never reveals his secrets … [Read more...]
Review of The Kite Runner at The Playhouse Theatre
In 2003 Khaled Hosseini’s debut novel The Kite Runner took the literary world by storm, clocking up more than 100 weeks on the New York bestsellers’ list. Four years later Matthew Spangler adapted the novel for the stage after meeting Hosseini in San Francisco in 2006. (The play has no relationship with the film that came out in 2007). Spangler spent time researching Afghan history and culture, met with musicians, writers and ‘advocates for the Afghan community’ as well as members of … [Read more...]