LONDON THEATRE. Cont'd.

“It’s not often you get a Sir and a dame in the same night.” Aladdin will run from 17 December to 22 January. Kevin Spacey will star in Dennis McIntyre’s National Anthems,, which Spacey first performed in 1988 in New Haven, Connecticut. Set in Detroit, Michigan and played in real time, the play is a critique of suburban values and a parable about the American dream. David Grindley, whose acclaimed production of Journey’s End is about to transfer to the Playhouse, will direct. National Anthems will run from 1 February to 23 April 2005.The final production of the first season will be Philip Barry’s classic Broadway comedy, never before seen in the West End, The Philadelphia Story, the film of which starred Cary Grant, James Stewart and Katharine Hepburn. Spacey will star in the role made famous by Cary Grant, although a director and the other cast members have yet to be appointed. The Philadelphia Story will run from 3 May to 23 July 2005.The first Old Vic Theatre Company season is strong on new plays, but Spacey emphasized that he intended to produce Shakespearean and other classics in future years. “Classics will also take their place. In due course I intend to tackle Shakespeare and some of the great roles that have made this theatre’s reputation such a remarkable one.” Spacey is committed to starring in at least two productions per season, emphasizing his commitment to the project. “I’m not going to be giving up my film career,” he said, but he will be concentrating his attentions on the Old Vic and his own production company in Los Angeles. However, he will live in London – “this isn’t going to be a company I’m going to be commuting to to run.” Producer David Liddiment announced that for each performance, 100 seats will be priced at £12 for under 25s and these will include some of the best seats in the house. The only exception to this will be for Aladdin, where the whole house will be given over to cheap seats for the local community for two performances. Tickets for each production will cost from £10-£40, except Aladdin which will cost from £10-£35.

Public booking opens on 15 May, or you can receive priority booking by becoming a Friend of the Old Vic by calling 0870 060 6635.

West End casting carousel in full swing

We Will Rock You

Two of the West End’s most popular current productions have announced major cast overhauls.Dominion based Queen rock-fest We Will Rock You updated its cast earlier this week, while World War one drama Journey's End shuffles its pack of actors for its transfer from the Comedy to the Playhouse in early May. As Rock-athon We Will Rock You approaches it second birthday, which will be celebrated by a gala performance of the show in aid of Sports Relief on May 11, three of the remaining original cast members have taken their final bow. Nigel Planer, Kerry Ellis and Olivier Award nominee Sharon D. Clarke went Radio Ga Ga for the last time last week, while Tony Vincent left earlier in the year.Mig Ayesa has taken over in the role of Galileo, the ‘chosen one’ charged with the mission of bringing the power of rock back to the kids. Ayesa has previously starred in the West End as Angel in Rent, Danny in Grease and Richie Valens in Buddy. Mazz Murray plays the role of the rock-hating Killer Queen, the woman in direct opposition to Galileo. Murray’s list of credits include Fame, Rent, Only The Lonely and Boogie Nights. Another ex-Boogie Nighter, Jenna Lee-James takes the role of rocking rebel Meat. Edinburgh festival favourite Mark Arden follows the legendary Nigel Planer as hippy librarian Pop. Arden is an actor and comedian with a Perrier Award nomination and host of theatrical and televisual credits to his name. His double act with Steve Frost led to regular appearances on shows such as The Young Ones, The Tube and Friday Night Live as well as securing two Radio 4 series of their own The Wow Show. The cast of harrowing yet touching World War One drama Journey’s End will be revamped for its run at the Playhouse. From May 3 the play, which follows the fortunes of a group of army officers awaiting a daring dash into No Man’s Land, will star Paul Bradley, Philip Franks, Pearce Quigley, David Sturzaker, Bob Barrett, Max Berendt, Alex Grimwood, Toby Kebbell, John R. Mahoney, Ifan Meredith and Guy Williams.Along with Marti Pellow, who joins the cast of Chicago for his second stint as Billy Flynn from May 3, Paul Leonard will join the murderous musical from May 17. Leonard, who has previously played in Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, Guys And Dolls and Oklahoma, will play put upon husband Amos Hart, taking over from ex-Coronation Street actor Kevin Kennedy.

The articles continue on the following pages.