Frankie
and Johnny in the Clair de Lune
Newcastle
Northern Stage
Monday
21st May - Saturday 2nd June 2018
By Terrence McNally
Directed by Mark Calvert
A brand new production of offbeat romantic comedy
Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune is to be directed by Northern Stage
Associate Director Mark Calvert (James & the Giant Peach, Northern
Stage).
Now a modern classic, it was written by American
playwright Terrence McNally, who also wrote the screenplay for the hit 1991
film starring Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer, and started life off-Broadway in
1987 with Kathy Bates in the role of Frankie and Wes Anderson regular Murray F.
Abraham as Johnny.
An intimate look at the first fragile moments of
risking your heart and taking a chance, Frankie and Johnny has been described
as an ‘anti-rom com’. Director Mark
Calvert said, “It’s a beautifully brilliant play. Every time I read it, it
takes on a new intensity; it’s quite beautiful – sad, as well as funny.
I’m really excited to be working with designer Rhys
Jarman again – the entire play takes place in one, small New York apartment so
we’ve reimagined the space – one of the biggest stages in the country - to
create an intimate setting. By staging it in traverse, the audience can
literally get up close and personal as these two ordinary people lay bare their
vulnerability and try to figure out whether it’s more than a one night stand.”
Richard Blackwood will play Johnny. After early
career success in stand-up comedy, music and TV presenting, Blackwood turned
his attention to acting. Probably best known for his role as Vincent on
EastEnders, stage roles include the West End production of Tennessee Williams’
Pulitzer Prize-winning classic, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof which also enjoyed a
sell-out run on Broadway, and two years playing Donkey in the hit musical
theatre adaptation of Shrek! Ruth Everett
will play Frankie. A regular with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Ruth has also
made TV appearances including Sherlock and Holby City on BBC ONE and the Bill
on ITV.
Joining Mark Calvert are regular collaborators
Designer Rhys Jarman (Institute, Gecko) and Sound Designer Nick John Williams who
have worked with Mark to create several shows on the main stage at Northern
Stage including James and the Giant Peach and Alice in Wonderland.
Award-winning Lighting Designer Zia BerginHolly completes the creative team,
bringing with her a wealth of experience including work at the Dublin and
Belfast Theatre Festivals, The Dublin and Edinburgh Fringe festivals as well as
assistant lighting design credits for shows in the West End including Phelim
McDermott’s The Perfect American for the English National Opera and Harry
Hill’s X-Factor musical, I Can’t Sing! at the London Palladium.
Described by The New Yorker as “one of our most
original and audacious dramatists, and one of our funniest”, Tony and
Emmy-award winning playwright Terrence McNally has written over 30 plays, eight
musicals and three operas, including landmark plays such as Master Class and
Love! Valor! Compassion! The 2003
Broadway production of Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune was nominated for
two Tony Awards - Best Revival of a Play, and for Stanley Tucci for Best
Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play.
Rehearsal
Photos: Sophie Teasdale
Tickets:
Tickets start at £10. For full details or to book
tickets see www.northernstage.co.uk
or call the box office on 0191 230 5151.
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