Democracy By Michael Frayn Transfers To Old Vic
Posted on 26 April 2012
Part of the Michael Frayn season at the Sheffield Crucible, his play Democracy will now transfer for a limited run at the Old Vic previewing from 15th June, officially opening on 20th June to 14th July.
Michael Frayn has recently had his classic farce Noises Off play at the Old Vic to much critical and commerical success, so much so that it transferred to the Novello Theatre.
Democracy is a witty and compelling Olivier Award-winning play about an inspirational man.
An all male cast take centre stage in this revival directed by Paul Miller. Originally the play opened at the National Theatre in 2003 before transferring to the West End. It dramatises the story of the German chancellor Willy Brandt played by Patrick Drury and his personal assistant, the East German spy Günter Guillaume played by Aidan McArdle.
Patrick Drury has appeared in the West End production of Woman In Black and was in the classic comedy Father Ted.
Aidan McArdle is best known from tv for his role as Dudley Moore in the Bafta-nominated TV biopic 'Not Only But Also'. He has also starred in the BBC's adaptation of 'Jane Eyre' and the award-winning comedy 'Beautiful People' and in Garrow's Law. Work with the Royal Shakespeare Company includes the title role in Richard III and the role of Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream. He also appeared in the title role of a stage adaptation of John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany by Simon Bent at London's Royal National Theatre in 2002, along with the role of Joseph Surface in Deborah Warner's 2011 The School for Scandal at the Barbican Centre.
Reviews for the Sheffield Crucible production:
★★★★★ Democracy is a gripping night out’, ‘A fitting conclusion to Sheffield’s Frayn season’ - The Daily Mail
★★★★ ‘from this masterclass in politicking, staged with style in Paul Miller’s revival, emerges an inspiring tale’ - The Times
★★★★ ‘Paul Miller’s fluid, sure-footed Sheffield revival…shows [the play] at its best’ - The Telegraph
★★★★ ‘Richard Hope is especially fine’ - The Guardian
‘the success of this ambitious season is undeniable and should be applauded’ - Whatsonstage
★★★★ ‘outstanding performances’ ‘[a] hugely satisfying production’ - The Daily Express
Book Democracy tickets online now.
[posted by Louise, 26/04/2012]
