It's Two Ladies' opening night!

25 September 2019 18:45

Tonight is the official opening of Two Ladies at London's Bridge Theatre, starring Zoë and Zrinka Cvitešic.

Let's wish everyone involved with this world premiere production every success!

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'It's a big play': Zoë's views on Two Ladies

23 September 2019 20:13

Yesterday's interview with Zoë and her Two Ladies co-star, Zrinka Cvitešic, on BBC One's The Andrew Marr Show is now available to watch online.

Interspersed with extracts from Nancy Harris' play, the interview offers insights into the real events that inspired the show. As Zoë points out, the cast were rehearsing around the time of the G7 summit. It was clear to them that the media displayed greater interest in what the world leaders' wives were wearing than anything those women might've had to say.

Zrinka remarked that 'as actresses we can really relate to that', based on her and Zoë's experiences of red carpet events and similar engagements.

By contrast, Two Ladies gives two (fictional) First Ladies, Zoë's Helen and Zrinka's Sophia, a voice. They are very much centre stage.

In addition, Andrew Marr invites Zoë to reflect on the complex political pressures that led to her father, Sam Wanamaker, deciding to leave the US and begin a new life in the UK. His gift to his adopted home is, of course, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, which Marr describes as 'one of the great successes of the London theatre world'.

What would Sam make of The Globe's position in British cultural life today? 'I think he'd be thrilled,' Zoë emphasises.

If you'd like to play a part in the future of Shakespeare's Globe and its companion, the indoor playhouse named in honour of Zoë's dad, you can donate to the Sam Wanamaker Centenary fundraising campaign.

Two Ladies is being staged at another great London venue, the Bridge Theatre, until 26 October. Tickets are available from the theatre's website.

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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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