Zoë pictured on All On Her Own/Harlequinade opening night, plus fantastic reviews

8 November 2015 19:34

Following yesterday evening's press performances of All On Her Own and Harlequinade at London's Garrick Theatre, Zoë was photographed for Getty Images at the Harlequinade curtain call and after-party. The Daily Mail has covered the opening night's events.

The after-party, held at the National Gallery, celebrated the opening of The Winter's Tale (in which Zoë doesn't appear) in addition to All On Her Own/Harlequinade, as the shows are playing in repertory. Zoë was joined by her husband, Gawn Grainger. Also present were Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench and other cast members.

Some fantastic reviews of tense monologue All On Her Own and comedy Harlequinade have been published. Highlights are below.

In Harlequinade Zoë portrays Dame Maud as 'hilariously soused' and performs All On Her Own 'with a soul-baring virtuosity' (Michael Billington, Guardian)

Harlequinade 'is stolen effortlessly by Zoe Wanamaker's turn as Dame Maud'. When watching All On Her Own, 'Young actors and actresses could learn much from the clarity of her diction and how she uses pitch to create a sense of intimacy in a large theatre – a master at work' (Gary Naylor, BroadwayWorld)

In All On Her Own 'Wanamaker is devastatingly good as a bereaved woman' (Michael Coveney, Whatsonstage.com)

In All On Her Own 'Wanamaker's performance is a miniature tour de force' (Andrzej Lukowski, Time Out)

In All On Her Own 'Wanamaker wrings every possibility from the occasion, her voice resonant with despair and passion', and gives a 'lustrous performance'. Harlequinade is 'an insightful piece of comic delight', in which Zoë is 'likely to bring tears of joy to your eyes' (Stephen Collins, BritishTheatre.com)

In Harlequinade Zoë's Dame Maud is 'gorgeously bossy'. All On Her Own is a 'painfully arresting' monologue (Libby Purves, theatreCat)

Zoë gives 'a thoughtful performance' in All On Her Own. Harlequinade 'has bags of charm' (Maryam Philpott, The Reviews Hub)

Tickets are available for this double bill, which runs until 13 January.

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More photos of Zoë published as All On Her Own/Harlequinade open at the Garrick Theatre

7 November 2015 18:23

On the day that All On Her Own and Harlequinade have their press performances at London's Garrick Theatre, more of Johan Persson's photos of the former play have been published. Time Out has a series of striking new images of Zoë as troubled widow Rosemary (see photos seven, eight and nine in the magazine's gallery).

The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company has reported on Twitter that the press performances of its Rattigan double bill are playing to a full house, which reflects the tremendous interest in these productions.

Tickets for All On Her Own and Harlequinade are available. Performances are scheduled until 13 January.

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First production photos of Zoë in All On Her Own/Harlequinade, which open at the Garrick tomorrow

6 November 2015 19:56

The Guardian has published a series of excellent production photos, taken by Johan Persson, of Zoë on-stage in the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company's Rattigan double bill. She's pictured as secretive widow Rosemary in All On Her Own and as the formidable Dame Maud, alongside fellow cast members, in comedic gem Harlequinade.

The images' publication is timely, as press performances of All On Her Own and Harlequinade will take place tomorrow at London's Garrick Theatre, marking the opening of the Plays at The Garrick season.

Tickets for the double bill, which runs until 13 January, are available.

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'For me, Terence Rattigan is about suppressed emotion': Zoë interviewed in new edition of All On Her Own/Harlequinade

6 November 2015 18:57

The official, tie-in edition of Terence Rattigan's All On Her Own and Harlequinade, celebrating the productions in which Zoë is starring at the Garrick Theatre, has now been published by Nick Hern Books.

In addition to both plays, the book features a fascinating interview with Zoë, who discusses her approach to portraying characters. She always completes detailed research, encompassing books, art and music. When rehearsing the disturbing All On Her Own, Zoë kept a visual diary, containing 'images that reflected my emotions about the piece', including works by Magritte, Picasso, Munch and others.

The key to playing Rattigan's characters, Zoë suggests, is being aware that 'what's underneath is as important as what they say'. Actors – and audiences – need to read between the lines. 'For me, Terence Rattigan is about suppressed emotion,' she concludes.

The book also includes interviews with the productions' designer Christopher Oram (illustrated with his lovely sketches of Zoe's costumes) and Kenneth Branagh and his co-director Rob Ashford. The interviews are accompanied by an introduction to the playwright and his plays, written by Rattigan biographer Michael Darlow.

Harlequinade & All On Her Own is currently available from Nick Hern Books with a 20% discount.

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Zoë lends her support to Equality for Mental Health campaign

3 November 2015 00:42

Zoë has signed the Equality for Mental Health open letter, a new initiative that's campaigning for mental health problems to be treated on a par with physical health problems across the UK.

With the Spending Review on the horizon, the letter states that it's 'aimed at persuading the Government to help reduce the suffering of those with mental ill health by increasing investment into the provision of mental health services'.

Other signatories include Danny Boyle, Steve Coogan, Dawn French, Joanna Lumley, Sir Ian McKellen, Bill Nighy, Graham Norton, Jennifer Saunders, Claire Skinner, Ruby Wax and many, many more.

If you’d like to sign the associated petition, you can do so online at Equality4MentalHealth.uk.

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