The Birthday Party bows out, Madam Hooch returns, a portrait of Zoë features in an exhibition – and more news

24 April 2018 21:36

The five-star Birthday Party concludes its run

After an incredibly successful run at London’s Harold Pinter Theatre, Ian Rickson’s 60th anniversary revival of The Birthday Party, starring Zoë, bowed out on 14 April. The production of Pinter’s disturbing classic garnered numerous five-star reviews, with The Times praising Zoe’s portrayal of the too-trusting landlady Meg as ‘absolutely terrific’.

Interviewed on BBC Radio 2 last month, Zoë described acting in The Birthday Party as ‘one of the happiest experiences I’ve ever had’. Her co-star Stephen Mangan recently echoed those sentiments.

If you missed The Birthday Party or would like to remind yourself of its brilliance, check out the rehearsal photos and production photos on the show's Facebook page. If you fancy some food for thought, you might also enjoy Spiked magazine’s detailed discussion of the production (and Pinter’s play in general), which was published towards the end of its run. ‘The Birthday Party has surely never looked better, fresher or funnier,’ it emphasises.

The recent review in The Theatre Times is similarly glowing: ‘Greatness comes hand in hand with Zoë Wanamaker’s perfect interpretation of a childless woman in her sixties who yearns for a male son and has found her devotion to motherhood in [her] unshaven tenant with whom she even at times flirts, denoting some kind of incest. Her astounding grotesque and caricaturesque performance together with her perfect diction bring about a character that keeps the play flowing’.

Isn’t it sad that the party’s now over! Hopefully it won’t be too long before Zoë is back treading the boards in another compelling production.

Madam Hooch returns to Hogwarts!

Seventeen years after the release of the first Harry Potter film, Zoë’s eagle-eyed games mistress is set to make a comeback. Zoë has voiced a ‘virtual’ Madam Hooch for Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, an official app that’s due to be released on 25 April for both Android and iOS devices. Players are invited to turn back the clock and join the ranks of Hogwarts students during the 1980s, long before the bespectacled boy wizard enrolled.

As reported by leading Harry Potter fansite The Leaky Cauldron, Zoë is joined by several other well-known actors from the films, such as Michael Gambon (Professor Dumbledore), Maggie Smith (Professor McGonagall) and Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick), helping to give new students an authentic (and magical!) Hogwarts experience.

Download the app and you’ll be able to try your hand at spells, potions, duelling – and, of course, flying lessons!

The voice of the Olivier Awards 2018

Zoë’s voice talents have clearly been in great demand recently. For the third consecutive year, she was chosen to provide the voiceover for the Olivier Awards ceremony, introducing the categories and nominees. The spectacular show, which celebrates the best of British theatre, took place at London’s Royal Albert Hall on 8 April. Highlights were broadcast on TV in the UK and are currently available on catch-up services the ITV Hub and STV Player. Outside the UK, you can watch the ceremony via Facebook.

Zoë didn’t appear on stage at the Oliviers this year, but here’s a reminder of the fabulous dress she wore to the 2017 ceremony.

New portrait of Zoë at the ROA Gallery

Zoë will be among the famous faces featured in Portraits, a major exhibition by artist Terence McKenna, at the Royal Opera Arcade Gallery in London. McKenna’s portraits, which the gallery calls ‘warm, intimate studies of character’, will be on show from 30 April to 5 May.

Zoë chosen for the Leading Women campaign

Zoë is one of the public figures featured in the University of London’s Leading Women campaign, which marks the 150th anniversary of women gaining access to university education. The campaign celebrates (in the university’s words) ‘exceptional women [...] leading through their inspirational educational and professional achievements'.

The chosen women are all associated with one or more of London’s higher education institutions (in Zoë’s case, the Central School of Speech and Drama).

Supporting the Moonlight Walk

Zoë has leant her support to St Wilfrid’s Hospice in Chichester, ahead of its 10th Moonlight Walk. You can register now for the walk, which will be held on 5 May and is designed to raise money for the hospice’s crucial work.

Passionate about Passion Play

Asked to choose a play she’d love to see revived, BroadwayWorld UK writer Aliya Al-Hassan opts for Peter Nichols’ darkly comic Passion Play. She praises the powerful 2013 West End production, which starred Zoë as Eleanor, a victim of infidelity, and Samantha Bond as her alter ego.

‘The production reunited director David Leveaux with Wanamaker for the first time since their Olivier Award-winning collaboration on his superb version of Electra [in 1997],’ Al-Hassan notes. ‘Wanamaker and Bond were both hypnotising and portrayed the visceral anguish of betrayal [...] It was a brilliant performance from both actors.’

I completely agree – Passion Play is unforgettable.

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Don't miss The Birthday Party, plus a new portrait of Zoë, Britannia series two and more!

25 March 2018 21:41

Here's a detailed round-up of all the latest news for Zoë's fans.

Don’t miss Zoë in The Birthday Party!

Time is running out to watch the 60th anniversary West End revival of Pinter’s The Birthday Party. Zoë’s performance as seaside landlady Meg, who struggles to see her visitors’ dark intentions, has been widely praised.

As well as receiving stunning reviews, Zoë, the rest of the cast and the production itself are wowing audiences. Below is just a small selection of recent comments from theatregoers.

Tickets are available from ATG for the classic play, which is running for a strictly limited season at London's Harold Pinter Theatre. The final matinee and evening performance will be on 14 April.

Don’t miss this five-star theatrical treat!

Photoshoot with Andrew Ogilvy

The Harold Pinter Theatre was also the setting for a recent photoshoot with Zoë and the talented photographer Andrew Ogilvy.

They clearly had a great time working together! You can view the portrait of Zoë on Ogilvy’s website – I like the directness of her gaze.

Britannia set to return in 2019

Have you recovered yet after Britannia’s shocking finale? While you catch your breath, let me fill you in on an exciting announcement about the historical epic. Sky has commissioned a second series, which will begin filming this spring. The new episodes are due to air next year.

Hopefully this means that we’ll find out how Zoë’s formidable Queen Antedia fares following the catastrophic events in the first series.

If you’d like to relive the drama, you’ll be pleased to hear that Britannia series one will be released on Region 2 DVD and Region B/2 Blu-ray on 26 March.

Below, fanpage Best of Britannia has helpfully summarised other ways you can watch the show around the world.

Annabel Scholey chats about Zoë, her ‘amazing’ co-star

Another Britannia cast member, Annabel Scholey, has emphasised how supportive Zoë is as part of an interview published in The Mail on Sunday.

In particular, Scholey recalls the first time they worked together. ‘When I did [the 2013 West End production of] Passion Play with Zoë she requested that I share her dressing room because she likes to have company. What amazed me was how she’d often ask what I thought about the way she’d changed one little nuance or action. It made me feel so much better, because I realised I was with someone who, even at her level, still doubted herself and questioned everything.’

She describes Zoë as one of her ‘amazing friends’ in the acting industry who she can always turn to for advice and support.

Wonderful readings to celebrate World Poetry Day

Thanks to World Poetry Day (21 March), the power of creative writing has been in the spotlight this week. So why not take the opportunity to remind yourself of two brilliant readings Zoë has given of two brilliant poems?

The video, produced by literature resource Connell Guides, features ‘This Be the Verse’ by Philip Larkin and ‘Not Waving But Drowning’ by Stevie Smith (who, of course, Zoë played on stage to great acclaim in 2014 and 2015).

Enjoy!

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Celebrating an inspiring woman on International Women’s Day

8 March 2018 20:18

One of the aims of International Women’s Day is to highlight women’s achievements, so I’d like to celebrate one of the most inspiring women working today. No prizes for guessing who that is!

I’ve been a fan of Zoë since she appeared in a TV adaptation of David Copperfield when I was 14, way back in 1999. In a star-studded cast, Zoë stood out for me. I was soon watching many of Zoë’s other projects with equal enthusiasm. Over the years, that enthusiasm has never waned.

Zoë is an incredibly gifted actress – my 15 favourite moments from her screen work, which I chose to celebrate the website’s 15th anniversary last year, really showcase her talent and versatility. She’s also kind, witty, compassionate and hard-working, with the best laugh you’ll ever hear.

Those qualities – and many others – are among the reasons why I look up to her. Zoë inspires me, and as you’ve taken the time to read this, the chances are that she inspires you too.

And we’re not the only ones celebrating Zoë’s achievements today. Take a look at what the Harold Pinter Theatre, where she’s currently appearing in The Birthday Party, and her former drama school, Central, have to say.

Fantastic!

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Zoë chats about ‘one of the happiest experiences’ of her career, plus lots more news

8 March 2018 02:18

‘One of the happiest experiences’ of Zoë’s career

Here’s Zoë pictured with Toby Jones, her co-star in the West End revival of The Birthday Party, at the BBC Radio 2 studios last Saturday. You’ll find another photo of them on Radio 2’s website.

During a chat with presenter Paddy O’Connell, they explored the tension at the heart of Harold Pinter’s classic play, in which mysterious strangers arrive at a seaside boarding house. ‘I think there’s a danger about it,’ Zoë pointed out. Toby Jones agreed, emphasising that much of The Birthday Party’s humour comes from ‘the laughter of anxiety’.

The strangers encourage Zoë’s Meg, the ‘guileless’ landlady, to throw a party for her washed-up lodger Stanley (Jones), even though he’s adamant it’s not his birthday. Fun and games then take a cruel, unpredictable turn...

Although The Birthday Party is dark and disturbing, the atmosphere off-stage is, thankfully, more relaxed! In fact, Zoë described working on this five-star production as ‘one of the happiest experiences I’ve ever had’.

If you missed the radio show, don’t worry, as you can catch up on the BBC iPlayer for the next few weeks. (The interview begins about an hour and a half into the programme.)

There’s also just over a month left to catch The Birthday Party at London's Harold Pinter Theatre. It runs until 14 April, and some tickets are still available. The reviews have been fantastic!

Zoë lends her support to the LSN and Tree Aid

Zoë is backing Sock It to Lymphoedema, an annual campaign to increase awareness about this chronic condition affecting the lymphatic system, as well as raise funds for the Lymphoedema Support Network’s vital work.

Several other well-known supporters, including Judi Dench, are pictured on the LSN’s website wearing odd socks as part of the campaign.

In addition, Zoë is the narrator of an engaging new animation from Tree Aid, another charity of which she’s a patron. The video explains why trees can mean the difference between life and death in the drylands of Africa.

I think Tessa and her colleagues at SEED in Love Hurts would certainly approve of Tree Aid’s work, don’t you!

Zoë’s most memorable holidays

Zoë recently spoke to the Mail on Sunday about some of her most memorable holidays – including her honeymoon, when the hotel didn’t quite live up to its name...

‘My husband Gawn was working on a play in Wales at the time but had a day off, so we married in London and then caught the train back to the Majestic Hotel, where he was staying. On the train we had breakfast in a relatively plush cabin and when we got to the hotel we were given a bottle of champagne. They’d put out balloons, too. But our room was right by the car park. It was far from majestic.’

Unforgettable portrait of Queen Antedia

Feast your eyes on this stunning portrait of Zoë as the formidable Queen Antedia in Sky’s epic Britannia. It’s by Alberto Reyes Francos, an incredibly talented illustrator who produces jaw-dropping TV and film-themed images.

Website addresses

And finally, an update about this website: you can now get here via zoewanamaker.com or zoewanamaker.co.uk, whichever you prefer :-)

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Hear Zoë and Toby Jones chat about The Birthday Party's hit revival on BBC Radio 2

2 March 2018 23:08

Tune into BBC Radio 2 on 3 March to hear Zoë discussing The Birthday Party alongside her co-star Toby Jones. They'll be among the special guests on Graham Norton's popular show, which airs from 10am to 1pm. Presenter Paddy O'Connell will be standing-in for Norton.

The landmark 60th anniversary production of Pinter's darkly comic masterpiece has received glowing five-star reviews and is currently being performed in front of packed houses in the West End. It'll be fascinating to hear what Zoë and Toby Jones have to say about the endearing seaside landlady Meg and her washed-up lodger Stanley, the characters they've been playing to great acclaim for around two months now.

You can watch The Birthday Party at the Harold Pinter Theatre (appropriately enough!) in London until 14 April.

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