Zoë to discuss Two Ladies on The Andrew Marr Show

21 September 2019 19:49

Zoë and her Two Ladies co-star, Zrinka Cvitešic, will be interviewed as part of The Andrew Marr Show tomorrow, 22 September. The hour-long programme airs on BBC One at 9 am. According to a BBC Politics tweet, the focus of the interview will be on ‘playing political wives’ in Nancy Harris’ play at the Bridge Theatre.

This will be Zoë’s third time as one of The Andrew Marr Show's special guests. She discussed appearing in Passion Play in 2013 alongside Samantha Bond (you can still watch part of that interview on the BBC News site) and All My Sons with David Suchet in 2010.

Tickets are available for Two Ladies, which is currently in previews and will have its opening night on 25 September. In addition, the text of the play has just been published by Nick Hern Books: you can read it in paperback or as an ebook.

Audiences are full of praise for the ‘amazing play’ about the role of world leaders’ wives, as well as the cast. Two Ladies is ‘[a]n absolute must see’ in which ‘Zoë Wanamaker and Zrinka Cvitešic give masterful performances’. In a nutshell, the show boasts ‘[p]henomenal acting; phenomenal writing.’

Two Ladies runs until 26 October – catch it while you can!

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First look at Two Ladies in performance

19 September 2019 19:09

London’s Bridge Theatre has released fantastic first-look photos of Zoë, Zrinka Cvitešic and the rest of the cast in Two Ladies. The play, which explores the role of world leaders’ wives, is currently in previews.

Meanwhile, Zoë’s character, Helen (originally called Hélène), has some wise words for us.

Interviewed by The Times, Zrinka Cvitešic, who plays Helen's opposite number in the US, emphasised that Two Ladies is an important play for female audience members in particular. 'I think this play will speak to so many women on so many levels.'

Theatregoers are continuing to respond enthusiastically to the ‘brilliant, thought provoking and very pertinent’ production. As the (fictional) First Lady of France, ‘Zoe Wanamaker gives a masterclass performance.’

For more details or to book tickets for Two Ladies, head to the theatre’s website. The play runs until 26 October.

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Zoë to appear in BBC’s ‘charming and inventive’ Worzel Gummidge revival

19 September 2019 18:44

Last month, I mentioned on Twitter that Zoë has been cast in a TV show aimed at a family audience. I can now confirm that show is Worzel Gummidge, BBC One’s new adaptation of Barbara Euphan Todd’s classic children’s stories. The adventures of Scatterbrook Farm’s walking, talking scarecrow are billed by the BBC as ‘the TV event of the season’ with ‘a host of both accomplished and brilliant actors’.

Having filmed Worzel Gummidge earlier this summer, Zoë will appear in the second of its two magical, hour-long programmes, ‘The Green Man’. We can look forward to her portrayal of the eccentric aristocrat Lady Bloomsbury Barton, whose country fete features a scarecrow competition that Worzel (played by Mackenzie Crook, who also wrote and directed the show) sets his sights on winning.

‘The whole thing is so charming and inventive,’ remarks Zoë. ‘It’s the sort of thing I’d watch. I’m sure it will be a huge success. I know it will – it’s divine.’

The distinguished cast also includes Michael Palin and Steve Pemberton.

Worzel Gummidge airs in the UK later this year; the exact dates haven’t yet been announced, though there’s a suggestion it could be a Christmas TV treat.

Brilliant Britannia is back – on 7 November

There's more exciting TV news...

Sky recently revealed the broadcast date for Britannia II, in which Zoë will also be seen alongside Mackenzie Crook. Queen Antedia, Zoe’s fabulous, fierce clan leader, returns in the historical epic on 7 November (the exact time has not yet been confirmed).

All ten episodes of Britannia’s hotly anticipated second series will be released on that date via Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW TV.

Thanks to Janet for her help.

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Praise for Two Ladies’ ‘extraordinary’ first preview

15 September 2019 19:26

Yesterday evening, Zoë and the rest of the Two Ladies cast wowed the audience during the production's sold-out first preview at London’s Bridge Theatre. It was the first time Nancy Harris’ political-meets-personal play had been staged.

Theatregoers have praised the ‘extraordinary performance’ given by Zoë and her co-star, Zrinka Cvitešic. In short, the two leads were ‘on fire’. They’re ‘powerful women in a powerful play’ exploring the role of First Ladies, the wives of world leaders, on the international stage.

Here’s a peek at the Two Ladies set – it suggests a play grounded in reality.

Dressed head to toe in polka dots, Zoë posed for photos with cast and crew, as well as lucky theatregoers, after the performance. The sweet pic shared by Raghad Chaar (who plays Fatima) is my favourite – two very happy ladies!

The next milestone is the press night: 25 September.

If you’d like to see the show for yourself, head to the theatre’s website for Two Ladies tickets. Performances are taking place until 26 October.

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Two Ladies' sold-out first performance is tonight!

14 September 2019 17:16

Zoë makes her Bridge Theatre debut tonight, starring in the sold-out, world premiere performance of Two Ladies, alongside Zrinka Cvitešic. The political and personal collide when Zoë's Hélène and Zrinka's Sophia, who are both married to world leaders, meet in the midst of an international crisis.

Two Ladies features prominently in the Guardian's pick of this week's UK cultural events. As the newspaper emphasises, '[director] Nicholas Hytner’s production boasts two powerhouse performers in Zoë Wanamaker and Zrinka Cvitešic'.

To find out what drew Zoë to the play, check out her recent Telegraph interview. 'They never have a say. What are they supposed to do? Just go to dinners? Look glamorous? They appear as trophy wives, essentially outsiders,' she remarks about the role of First Ladies. On the Bridge Theatre stage, at least, they will find a voice. And with the G7 summit having taken place just last month, the play's run is particularly timely. 'Two Ladies couldn't be more apposite,' says Zoë. 'It's all playing out.'

For insights into what inspired Two Ladies and how it's been brought to life in rehearsals, head to the theatre's YouTube channel. There you'll find a series of bitesized video interviews with the playwright, Nancy Harris.

Let's wish everyone involved with Two Ladies all the best - break a leg! If you're attending tonight's first preview, enjoy! If not, there's still time to book tickets for later performances.

Two Ladies will run until 26 October and is bound to be a thought-provoking theatrical experience.

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