Dead Funny's Eleanor, past and present: Zoë pictured with Katherine Parkinson at the Vaudeville Theatre

27 November 2016 03:02

Earlier this week, Zoë was photographed backstage at London's Vaudeville Theatre with Katherine Parkinson, who's appearing there in Dead Funny. Parkinson portrays frustrated doctor's wife Eleanor, the same character Zoe played in the original production, in 1994.

The black comedy about relationships was staged at the Vaudeville back then too, having transferred from Hampstead Theatre. The director of both productions is also the play's writer, Terry Johnson.

Another cast member in the revival of Dead Funny is Steve Pemberton, who's clearly been an admirer of both Zoë (pictured above as Eleanor with David Haig as husband Richard) and the play for many years. Speaking to the Observer in 2011, he praised Zoë's performance in the lead role as the best he'd ever seen by an actor on stage. (Please note that the article includes a plot spoiler you might want to avoid reading if you're planning to watch the new show!)

'Eleanor is at the heart of the play,' Pemberton explained. He recalled being particularly impressed by Zoë's ability to combine humour with intense drama, remarking that 'Wanamaker could have you howling with laughter one minute and sobbing the next, because she has the kind of emotional insight that draws you in.'

The Dead Funny revival plays in the West End until 4 February. Like the original show, it's earned considerable praise from reviewers.

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'It looks easy, but that's the art of it': Zoë offers advice to young actors on AllCreative.com

26 November 2016 01:53

A short film in which Zoë shares her insights into the theatre industry is featured on All Creative, a new careers advice website for young people keen to learn from the UK's creative professionals. As well as summarising some of the career opportunities the industry provides, Zoë discusses the ups and downs of life as a professional actor.

'It's hard work, and it's finding the work, and it's finding the script that fits you,' she says of the challenges of being a performer. Acting is a vocation, entails a great deal of rejection and isn't always well paid. As a result, Zoë emphasises that it's important 'to have another skill, so that when you're not working as an actor, you can support yourself'.

She recalls her father, Sam Wanamaker, giving her the Complete Works of Shakespeare in order to deepen her understanding of theatre. 'It still is an inspiration now; people love it. I love it.'

The video suggests that if you want to succeed as an actor, you need talent, dedication and the willingness to study hard and hone your skills. '[Acting] looks easy,' Zoë observes, 'but that's the art of it.'

You may recognise the elegant dress she wears in the video, which was filmed around three years ago. Appropriately enough, it's one of her costumes for a stage role: that of Ranevskaya in the National Theatre's 2011 production of The Cherry Orchard.

All Creative is the brainchild of ad agency executive Paul Brazier. In his words, the website aims 'to help young people understand how to get a creative job'. Other well-known individuals appearing in its videos include architect David Adjaye, animator Nick Park, photographer Rankin and the artist Bob and Roberta Smith.

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Radio 3's Death of a Salesman nominated for Best Adaptation in BBC Audio Drama Awards

24 November 2016 18:14

Radio 3's production of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, starring Zoë and David Suchet, has been shortlisted for Best Adaptation in the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2017. Broadcast to mark Miller's centenary in 2015, the play was adapted and directed by the late Howard Davies, with whom Zoë had a long history of collaboration.

Shortly before the production was broadcast, Zoë discussed Death of a Salesman in the Radio Times. 'It's such a joy to be working again with David and Howard, both of whom I'm extremely in tune with,' she commented. The trio, who enjoyed tremendous success with 2010's West End staging of another great play by Miller, All My Sons, were described by the magazine as 'the ''dream team''' for his work.

The BBC Audio Drama Awards celebrate 'the cultural significance, range and originality of audio drama', in the BBC's words. The finalists in each category will be announced on 3 January. The winners will then be revealed at the BBC Radio Theatre on 29 January, during a ceremony hosted by Lenny Henry.

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Zoë's husband to appear in Don Juan in Soho, alongside Doctor Who's David Tennant

17 November 2016 20:21

Zoë's husband, Gawn Grainger, will return to the stage next spring for Don Juan in Soho at the Wyndham's Theatre, London. The show, written and directed by Patrick Marber, is described on its official website as a 'savagely funny and filthy' tale about a seducer.

Gawn has been cast as Louis and Adrian Scarborough as Stan. The title role will be performed by David Tennant (who, of course, played the Doctor when Zoë so memorably reprised her role as villainous 'last human' Lady Cassandra in Doctor Who's 'New Earth'!).

The casting news has been widely reported in the theatrical press, with articles published by My Theatre Mates, Official London Theatre, Whatsonstage.com and other outlets.

Don Juan in Soho has been adapted from Molière's tragicomedy, Don Juan, and is set in contemporary London. The production is due to run from 17 March to 10 June 2017. It's considered most suitable for theatregoers aged at least 16, due to the nature of the story.

With such a stellar cast, it's bound to be popular. I'd advise booking early, if possible.

Thanks to Vanessa and Karoline for their help.

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Zoë and her husband attend the Evening Standard Awards as Plays at the Garrick season is honoured

15 November 2016 01:22

On Sunday night, Zoë and her husband, Gawn Grainger, joined a host of other well-known actors at the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2016. They were photographed on the red carpet, as well as at the awards reception, for Getty Images, Zimbio, PopSugar and AceShowbiz. Getty also has a short video of them at the event.

Zoë looked stylish in a black tailored jacket, trousers and hat, prompting news website MSN to include her outfit in its selection of the Evening Standard Awards' 'most stand-out looks'.

The prestigious ceremony took place at The Old Vic just a day after Kenneth Branagh's Plays at the Garrick season, in which Zoë and her husband both appeared (she in All On Her Own/Harlequinade and he in the season's final show, The Entertainer) drew to a close.

They saw Branagh receive the special Lebedev Award in recognition of his hugely popular season of West End plays. One of the judges, the Evening Standard’s chief theatre critic, Henry Hitchings, described Branagh's 'spectacular' project as 'a showcase for legends including Judi Dench, Zoë Wanamaker and Derek Jacobi'. Another actor who belongs on that list of greats is Zoe's husband, I'm sure you'll agree.

Other winners at the ceremony, which was co-hosted by Elton John and Evgeny Lebedev and presented by Rob Brydon, included David Attenborough, Glenn Close, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Ralph Fiennes, John Malkovich, Billie Piper and more.

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