Big Ben
It promises four hundred performers; a parade of donkeys, camels, eagles and chickens; and pyrotechnics to dazzle an audience of up to 15,000 punters per night – but can Ben-Hur work as theatre?
The question arises because German-born producer Franz Abraham has been working on bringing a theatrical translation of the 1880 bestselling novel, best known in its 1959 film incarnation, to the public. The show is predicted to cost £5 million and will receive its world premiere at the O2 arena, in London's Docklands, next September. It will appear for three nights only before going on tour.
Abraham, who has previously worked as a promoter for David Bowie and the Three Tenors, said his production would indeed be recreating the live chariot race and scenes of blood-lusting gladiatorial combat featured in the film classic, which starred Charlton Heston.
It is actually the second time that Ben-Hur has appeared on the London stage: the first was a ten-man panto-style adaptation at Battersea Arts Centre in 2002, starring comedian Will Adamsdale.
Abraham was undaunted, saying of his version: "It will have the speed of a musical, the depth of great theatre, the power of a rock concert and the visual opulence of a Hollywood blockbuster."
Small and beautiful
By way of contrast, the Union theatre is celebrating its newly crowned status as the UK's best up-and-coming small venue, as announced at the curiously named Empty Space … Peter Brook Awards. The Southwark theatre beat off competition from the Gate in Notting Hill and Theatre 503 in Battersea to win the £1,500 prize. Awards also went to the Royal Court (best established studio theatre) and the Finborough (best theatre pub). Five theatres "without walls" – those without a permanent producing home – were also given a special mention: the National Theatre of Scotland, Paines Plough, Artichoke, Forest Fringe and the National Theatre's Watch This Space initiative.
'Fuss about nothing
Richard Dreyfuss is the latest Hollywood star to be tapped for Kevin Spacey's Old Vic. Dreyfuss, who can currently be seen channelling Dick Cheney in the film W, has signed up to appear in a new play by Joe Sutton at the theatre next year. He will star in Complicit as a journalist forced to choose between his belief in the freedom of the press and his family's safety.
Dreyfuss was due to appear on stage in the West End back in 2004, when he was cast in The Producers, but left the show at the 11th hour and was replaced by Nathan Lane. Anticipating his return to London for Complicit, Dreyfuss said: "There is no greater place to be human than in front of humans. No greater way to reflect being human. No greater place than the Old Vic. I'm very excited to have a chance of not being fired before the opening." Spacey, who will direct the play, believes audiences "are in for a real treat". Previews start on January 7 2009 and the play runs until February 21.
