Video: Zoë reads her favourite poems – including Stevie Smith's!

25 April 2015 01:05

If you were lucky enough to get tickets to Stevie, you'll have had the pleasure of watching Zoë perform Stevie Smith's beautiful, witty poetry on-stage, in the role of the poet herself. In this new video by Connell Guides, which produces guides to great works of literature, Zoë reads and discusses two of her favourite poems – including Smith's most famous work, 'Not Waving but Drowning'.

As Zoë points out during her discussion with the founder of Connell Guides, Jolyon Connell, Smith's poignant poem cautions us against making assumptions about how people feel. It suggests, in Zoë's words, that 'we never know the truth about ourselves or each other'.

Zoe's other choice is also very memorable: 'This Be The Verse' by Philip Larkin. The poem's exploration of people's relationships with their parents, she emphasises, 'makes me laugh, and it's so true!'

If the video whets your appetite for literature, you'll be pleased to know Zoë has recommended a novel on Twitter. Ronald Forfar's A Wilderness of Monkeys focuses on an actor, Oliver Brandon, whose decision to take part in a production of The Merchant of Venice leads to his illusions – about himself and others – being shattered. It received great acclaim from Zoë's late friend Richard Griffiths.

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Zoë pictured at Something Rotten

24 April 2015 00:35

While Zoë is in New York – where she will star in City Center's revival of the musical Zorba! next month – she is clearly making the most of the city’s vibrant theatrical scene. She was photographed on the red carpet at Wednesday's press night for Something Rotten, also a musical, held at Broadway's St James Theatre.

Something Rotten is a comedy set in the 1590s. It focuses on two brothers who hit upon the idea of putting on the first ever musical – in the hope of topping Shakespeare's amazing success!

Other special guests at the press night included Tina Fey, Debra Messing, Anna Wintour and many more.

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Zoë's preparing to star in Zorba!

21 April 2015 18:54

Fans in the UK were recently treated to Zoë's hugely memorable portrayal of quirky writer Stevie Smith at London's Hampstead Theatre. There was high demand for tickets and fantastic reviews from theatre critics and audiences alike.

Now it's the turn of US fans to enjoy watching Zoë on-stage, as Zorba! begins on 6 May at New York City Center. As Zoë’s PA, Vanessa, has tweeted today, Zoë is now preparing for the musical, in which she will play innkeeper Hortense, who is pursued by jack-of-all-trades Zorba.

Tickets to Zorba! are on sale now from New York City Center.

What a busy, exciting spring for Zoë and her fans!

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Stevie's last week selling out fast

12 April 2015 21:50

This week sees the final eight performances of Stevie, starring Zoë as poet Stevie Smith, at London's Hampstead Theatre – and the tickets are selling out fast!

Each of the remaining performances is now either sold out or has only a small number of tickets left. If you haven't seen this fantastic play yet, do book soon!

Meanwhile, Zoë's fans in the US can look forward to seeing her on-stage in a matter of weeks, when musical Zorba! opens at New York City Center on 6 May.

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Zoë returning to New York stage to star in the musical Zorba!

7 April 2015 20:58

Zoë is returning to the New York stage for the first time in nearly ten years. She will play the mysterious French innkeeper, Hortense, in New York City Center's revival of 1968 musical Zorba!, the final show in its 2015 Encores! series of American musicals.

Adapted from Nikos Kazantzakis' novel Zorba the Greek, the musical follows the adventures of jack-of-all-trades Zorba (played by John Turturro) and intellectual Niko (Santino Fontana). In City Center's words, 'As they traipse across the island of Crete, the two men dance, philosophize, and pursue women'. The director is Walter Bobbie.

Zoë most recently appeared on stage in New York as matriarch Bessie in Clifford Odets's Awake and Sing! at the Belasco Theater, back in 2006. You can watch Zoe in Zorba! from 6-10 May at City Center. Its very limited run will make this show an extra special theatrical treat.

News of Zorba! has been reported today by The New York Times and Broadway.com. For more details or to buy tickets to the production, see City Center's website.

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