Stars in Plays in London’s West End Theatre Breaks

Stars in Plays in London's West End Theatre Breaks London Theatre Breaks
Yes Prime Minister, starring Simon Williams and Richard McCabe (famous for everything) at the Apollo Theatre, London

Check out our blog for stars appearing in London’s Theatreland in 2016

Stars in 2011

Following the enforced announcement that James Corden is going to be appearing at the Adelphi Theatre in “One Man Two Gov’nors” I started to have a look around at what other stars from the small screen are now or are soon to be appearing at a theatre somewhere near a London hotel… and I came up with a very long list!

So the next time you go on a London Theatre Break you could be gazing up at one of the following.

Pygmalion (posh bloke teaches commoner to speak proper but doesn’t sing because this is not “My Fair Lady“) will have double the stars that the other plays boast. It starts off with Rupert Everett and Kara Tointon (Eastenders) but from 15th August the role of Professor Henry Higgins will be played by Alistair McGowan.

Rupert Everett’s final performance at the Garrick Theatre will be 13th August as he will be beginning filming a new series of ‘Parade’s End’ adapted by Tom Stoppard.

Usually plays with stars in run for a short period of time to avoid just this sort of thing. Harold Pinter’s Betrayal boasts Kirstin Scott Thomas, Douglas Henshall and Ben Miles and is only on to 20 August (presumable because Alistair McGowan is busy!

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At the Duchess, Dominic West (from The Wire) is Butley.  This is a comedy by Simon Gray and, one of the must see productions this summer due in part to the comedy itself but mainly to West’s performance. It closes on 27 August unless they can pursuade another impressionist out of retirement – Alistair McGowan is busy!)

It is basically the tale of how a once brilliant and charismatic professor, Butley, suddenly finds his life and relationships self-combusting and decides to take it out on his students and colleagues; employing his trusty arsenal of mischievous irony and gleeful wit, allowing him to wallow in his own dangerous blend of trouble and fun.

Yes, Prime Minister is back in London (at the Apollo Theatre to be precise). Rather than being famous for one thing the stars in this are famous for everything. Simon Williams (Sir Humphry) and John McCabe (Jim Hacker) have, between them, been in everything! – from Midsummer to Dr Who via the Scarlet Pimpernel and Waking the Dead… Both have truly earnt the epithet  “Oh-HIM-Wasn’t-He-In-Errr” becasue they probably were!

Chris Larkin (who plays Bernard) is starting to go exactly the same way!

And finally to wind up the list with a bit of Shakespeare, Kevin Spacey is “Richard III” at the Old Vic, Simon Callow is “Being Shakespeare” at the Trafalgar Studio and the Dr Who team of David Tennant and Catherine Tate are re-united in “Much ado About Nothing” at the Wyndham’s Theatre, London until 03 September 2011… not even a bit part for a cyberman!

If you want any more Shakespeare, head for a Stratford-Upon-Avon Shakespearean Theatre Break here!

Of course your favourite comedian or character actor does not necesarily restrict themselves to plays. There are almost as many in musicals.

Can you match the star to the show for your chance to see someone famous “in the flesh”?

Peter Davison, Sarah Lancashire,  Richard Fleeshman, Reece Shearsmith, Amanda Holden, Nigel Harman, Ray Meager, Micahel Crawford, Matt Lucas

Legally Blonde

Pricilla Queen of the Desert

Les Miserables

The Wizard of Oz

Shrek – the musical

Ghost – The Musical

About Simon Harding

Simon Harding has grown up in and around London's Theatreland and has been working here ever since he left school: promoting its shows to anyone who will listen!

View all posts by Simon Harding

One Comment on “Stars in Plays in London’s West End Theatre Breaks”

  1. And Yes PrimeMinister may be closing at the Apollo but is moving next door to the Gielgud Theatre in September – just until Cool Hand Luke turns up in November

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