After the Dance- Benedict Cumberbatch on Broadway

Backstage now lists 'After the Dance' on their 'in development section,' saying:

"NEW After the Dance, a revival of Terence Rattigan's 1939 play about dissolute young men about to be shaken up by World War II. The New York Post reports that a 2009 National Theatre production will transfer from London to Broadway, with Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead. Target opening: fall 2011."

Anyone else freaking that we might probably be getting a chance to see this beautiful play on Broadway so soon, and with an even more beautiful leading man? I for one have no issue with pilfering the uber-talented Benedict Cumberbatch away from England for a while. Or forever. Actually, let's steal his passport so he can never leave.

That being said, I think it's an interesting choice for Broadway. I know there's a few devoted Benedict Cumberbatch fans over here, but he's not like Samuel L. Jackson or Al Pacino. Hopefully the draw will be the quality of the show, and BC's acting though, neither of which I have ever been let down by.

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Updated On: 5/6/11 at 06:10 PM

Hah- Yeah, I know the phrase 'he could read the phone book and I would be interested' is overused, but with Cumberbatch, it is so completely true. His voice is like if Jeremy Irons & Alan Rickmans' voices were bound together and soaked in chocolate.........

ANYWAY, I'd hope that Carroll and Scarborough would transfer as well, especially since the both of them won Olivier awards for their parts. It's fantastic to hear a good report about the show from someone who saw it though!

I do think it's a brave choice in America, but between The King's Speech, the Royal Wedding-hoopla and the success of War Horse over here, I think we've shown we can understand, or at least appreciate a bit of British culture!

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"I'm not gonna lie, I will scream and stamp my feet and weep in bitter envy if you get this production"

Well, I'm going to play against national sterotypes as exampled by Weez' understatement and say I thought this was excellent.

I do jest Darling. So, smile again and pour me another G&T.

Seriously - Adrian Scarborough will surely still be in Betty Blue Eyes if this is scheduled for the Autumn.

"A voice like a jaguar hiding in a cello" is how one British journalist described it - the phrase makes no sense at all, but if you've heard him you'll know exactly what it means.

Scripps: There was an interview with Adrian Scarborough recently that said he was leaving Betty Blue Eyes to do more Upstairs Downstairs later this year, and that he was heading to Broadway *next* year with After the Dance. That was the journalist writing rather than a direct quote, though, so could be wrong.

Yes, yes, After the Dance was wonderful but no one mentions the delicious Faye Castelow, so excellent as the "other woman".

One of the problems it may have on Broadway is that it plays in three acts and kind of needs to. Will they change that for Broadway, I wonder?

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As long as it doesn't interfere with the filming of "Sherlock," I'm good with it! I don't really know what their filming schedule is like, but it probably helps that they only do a few at a time.

On another note, I saw Cumberbatch play Frankenstein's Creature via video a few weeks ago, and was blown away.

Updated On: 5/7/11 at 02:33 PM

I saw the NT production and found the play rather dull and plodding. When the lights came up for the first intermission I was surprised, because it seemed like nothing had even happened yet. The remaining two acts were better, but still forgettable. However, the cast was excellent. I was not previously familiar with Adrian Scarborough, but his performance turned me into a huge fan. It would be great to have him on Broadway.