Dame Angela Lansbury to star in Blithe Spirit in the US (Again)?

[Will42]

Posted: 8/14/14 at 1:40pm

Jemima Rooper told me at the premiere of her new film What If that Dame Angela Lansbury may re-joining her on stage in Blithe Sprit after its sell-out run in London. “We’re hoping to bring it back with her in the US,” she says. Of working with Dame Angela, 88, she says: "It was amazing. She didn’t get any special treatment, she’s a grafter. Whenever you feel like you’ve got a bit of a headache and you can’t be bothered, she’s almost 90 and she’s delivering every day."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11032147/The-nickname-Jason-Robards-gave-Lauren-Bacall.html

Does anyone know anything more about this? Seems very strange to be honest. They are obviously not bringing it back to Broadway considering that it's the same production that opened there in 2009.
I thought that Dame Angela will more interested in appearing in something new instead of recreating the character she just played for 5 months.

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 8/14/14 at 1:57pm

LA?

[Will42]

Posted: 8/14/14 at 2:36pm

That what I've been thinking.

Of course who the hell am I to say and I'm sure Dame Angela knows what it best for her, but still I wonder why Blithe Spirit again?

Why not to do something new and on Broadway or again on the West End stage.


By the way, wising Dame Angela speedy recovery from her recent nasty fall that has forced her to use a wheelchair. Get well soon.

[emo_geek]

Posted: 8/14/14 at 2:46pm

I'll cry with joy if it is Los Angeles. Maybe a tour (with LA as a stop?!?)

[HorseTears]

Posted: 8/14/14 at 3:16pm

emo_geek - I'll be your sob sister if LA happens as well!

Will - v. sorry to hear about her fall. A simple fall can be very troubling at that age.

[Will42]

Posted: 8/14/14 at 3:27pm

Dame Angela talks about her fall while introducing the screening of Driving Miss Daisy in Cork, Ireland: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLz1FumT_ms

[HorseTears]

Posted: 8/14/14 at 3:56pm

Aw. Sweet clip. It's funny, but I swear there's a touch of an Irish accent creeping into her speech there. Well, she did live in Ireland before.

[Will42]

Posted: 8/14/14 at 4:27pm

She still goes there every Summer. She's an Irish citizen and of course her mother, actress Moyna Macgill was Irish.

[keithp]

Posted: 8/14/14 at 5:45pm

Actually she isn't an Irish citizen but British hence the Damehood.

[beaemma]

Posted: 8/14/14 at 11:31pm

From the quote, there's no way of knowing whether this is an actual possibility or just wishful thinking on Jemima Rooper's part. That said, Angela Lansbury was brilliant and hilarious as Madame Arcati in the extremely entertaining Broadway revival. The London production reportedly was as good or better. If the British production does come here, I'll go anywhere in the U.S. to see it. Nothing wrong with a show that puts a smile on my face for two and a half hours!

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 8/15/14 at 12:25am

There's an opening at the Ahmanson at the end of this year to replace Heartbeat of Home. This would be a fantastic choice!

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 8/15/14 at 2:57am

Please, please be LA at the end of the year, I missed it in London by one day..

[Will42]

Posted: 8/15/14 at 3:25am

I saw it in NYC in 2009 and twice in London this year.
Although the cast was wonderful in both productions, I did enjoy the West End more.
Dame Angela could have not picked a better show for her West End return. The audience went nuts for her.

[Will42]

Posted: 8/15/14 at 3:29am

Actually, Dame Angela is an Irish citizen.
Her Dame title had to be approved by Irish Cabinet during an incorporeal meeting of the Government in accordance with Ireland constitution.

http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/irish-cabinet-gave-green-light-to-angela-lansburys-dame-honour-29910013.html#sthash.WzjmQt2w.dpuf

I guess she has a triple citizenship.

[amoni2]

Posted: 8/15/14 at 11:58am

"The audience went nuts for her"

And not just because they were seeing a legend. She was laugh out loud funny, bringing big laughs I haven't heard in a theater in a long time.

[emo_geek]

Posted: 8/15/14 at 12:10pm

Please refrain from saying how brilliant she was in this show because it is absolute torture that I missed it. Better yet, let's make this US return happen!

[ggersten]

Posted: 8/15/14 at 12:15pm

We saw her in Blithe Spirit in London, and will not say she was brilliant in deference to emo-geek. So, I can say she was very very funny - she enlivened all of her scenes. She had a real character and made it more than written on the page. It was an amazing performance for any actor without regard to age. But, the rest of the cast was terrific also. The young lady playing the maid stole every second she was on stage - with her doughy eyes and movements. It was a terrific time in the theatre.

[HorseTears]

Posted: 8/15/14 at 12:27pm

If - IF - this rumor is actually true, do we think US Equity would allow a largely British cast? I'd prefer not to see a bunch of dodgy accents and put-on affectations in such a quintessentially British play.

[Will42]

Posted: 8/15/14 at 12:57pm

In the 2009 Broadway revival most of the cast members were British.

[Will42]

Posted: 8/15/14 at 1:02pm

The maid was played by the wonderful Patsy Ferran. It was her debut role. I'm sure she has a bright career ahead of her.
As for Dame Angela, she deserved every single standing ovation. Her comedic timing is just impeccable. She is a great, great comedienne. It's a shame she hasn't really gotten to show that side of her in the movies.

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 8/16/14 at 12:01am

If there was legit interest in Dame Angelas's part, Center Theater Group would be genius to jump on this...it would sell out and I bet they could also book the show in SF if they were willing to produce

[emo_geek]

Posted: 8/16/14 at 11:21am

IF it WERE to happen at Center Theatre Group, when would the appropriate time for an announcement be?

[Scripps2]

Posted: 8/17/14 at 8:08am

I was hoping the idea of her doing a restoration comedy would come to pass.

[emo_geek]

Posted: 9/16/14 at 12:53pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Angela-Lansbury-to-Bring-BLITHE-SPIRIT-Stateside-North-American-Tour-to-Launch-this-Year-in-Los-Angeles-20140916

I am SO excited! This is such great news.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 9/16/14 at 12:59pm

I completely admire and adore this woman. I wish I have her energy and her drive if I am fortunate to reach that age. A true legend.