Zoë to star in 60th anniversary revival of Pinter's The Birthday Party

12 September 2017 22:56

Zoë's next theatre production has been announced – and it's very exciting! She's set to star in a 2018 West End revival of Harold Pinter's The Birthday Party, celebrating the classic play's 60th anniversary. Appropriately enough, the show will be staged at the theatre named after the renowned playwright. Zoë's co-stars are Toby Jones and Stephen Mangan (you'll find great cast photos on Facebook).

As the production's official website makes clear, The Birthday Party's plot is dark and intriguing: 'Stanley Webber (Toby Jones) is the only lodger at Meg (Zoë Wanamaker) and Petey Boles' sleepy seaside boarding house. The unsettling arrival of enigmatic strangers Goldberg (Stephen Mangan) and McCann disrupts the humdrum lives of the inhabitants and their friend Lulu, and mundanity soon becomes menace when a seemingly innocent birthday party turns into a disturbing nightmare.'

Produced by Sonia Friedman and directed by Ian Rickson (who've been behind a number of critically acclaimed productions of Pinter's work), the revival will mark the second time Zoë has performed The Birthday Party. She originally appeared in the play as Lulu during a British Council Far East Tour early in her career, in 1972.

The news of what the Guardian calls '[a] star-studded new West End production' has attracted plenty of attention in the theatre press, with articles by The Stage, Whatsonstage.com, Broadway.com, BroadwayWorld.com and more. In addition, BBC Radio 4's Today programme has aired an interview with Toby Jones and Pinter's widow, Lady Antonia Fraser, about the play's enduring appeal.

The Birthday Party runs at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 9 January to 14 April 2018, with its opening night on 18 January. Tickets are available now and being snapped up, so it's a good idea to book early if possible.

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News round-up: see Zoë in epic Britannia trailer; Girlfriends filming; and Gawn rehearses new play

31 August 2017 22:26

First-look Britannia trailer released

Sky Atlantic has released the long-awaited – and fabulous! – trailer for historical drama series Britannia, plus an eye-catching photo of Zoë as formidable Celtic Queen Antedia (click here for a bigger version).

Our first glimpse of the show's epic vision of ancient Britain, its fierce inhabitants and similarly fierce Roman invaders suggests that Britannia will be tense and atmospheric, with stunning cinematography and elements of the supernatural.

The trailer has met with a hugely positive response from Zoë's fans and peers alike, with fellow actress Kim Cattrall and director Metin Hüseyin among those praising her.

Zoe's Britannia co-stars include David Morrissey, Kelly Reilly and Mackenzie Crook. The series will premiere in Cannes on 16 October. As a recent press release from Sky makes clear, we can expect to see Britannia on TV 'early next year'. It'll be shown on Sky Atlantic in the UK, Ireland, Germany and Italy, as well as on streaming service NOW TV. US fans will be able to watch Britannia via Amazon Prime Video.

Girlfriends filming passes the half-way mark

Rollem Productions has revealed that filming for the last three episodes in ITV's six-part Girlfriends, another hotly-anticipated drama series starring Zoë, began on 23 August. The programme is being made in and around Leeds and York.

Zoë will play Gail, part of a troubled trio of friends, in Girlfriends, which also stars Phyllis Logan and Miranda Richardson.

Look out for it on ITV in 2018.

Zoë's husband to appear at the National Theatre

Zoë's husband, Gawn Grainger, recently began rehearsing Saint George and the Dragon for London's National Theatre. Here he's pictured with John Heffeman, Olwen May, Amaka Okafor, Jeff Rawle and other members of the company.

Saint George and the Dragon, a new play by Rory Mullarkey, is described by the National as '[a] folk tale for an uneasy nation'. It'll be staged in the Olivier from 4 October to 2 December as part of the theatre’s £15 Travelex season.

With thanks to Karoline for all her help.

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Announcing the lucky winner of the 15th anniversary competition...

31 August 2017 19:37

Many congratulations to Zoë's fan Lynn, who's won the website's 15th anniversary competition after being randomly selected from all of the entrants today!

Her prizes are a Dead Funny t-shirt and a photo, both signed by Zoë.

Thanks to all of the entrants, as well as to Zoë and Vanessa, her PA, for kindly donating the prizes.

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Last chance to enter the website's 15th anniversary competition!

29 August 2017 17:00

If you'd like to be in with the chance of winning a t-shirt and photo, both signed by Zoë, you have until 11:59pm (UK time) on 30 August 2017 to enter the website's 15th anniversary competition.

Thank you to everyone who's already entered :-)

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First photos of Zoë in Girlfriends!

11 August 2017 20:38

Here's our first look at Zoë in costume on the set of ITV's hotly anticipated drama Girlfriends (presumably in her character Gail's cosy kitchen!), which is being filmed in Yorkshire. Zoë is pictured with fellow actress and presenter Claire Sweeney, who's recorded an interview with her about the drama for ITV daytime show Lorraine.

Look out for the interview closer to Girlfriends' broadcast in 2018!

Many thanks to Kat and Janet for their help.

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