Red Alert! - Dr. Strangelove West End Autumn 2024

[ggersten]

Posted: 7/15/23 at 11:22am

If this actually happens (and it has some solid creatives), it appears it will beat Van Hove's The Shining to the stage as an adaptation of a Kubrick film. (Alas, not a musical - but one can hope for a tap number anyone - Gentlemen! You can't tap in here!)

Dr. Strangelove - The Play

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/15/23 at 12:28pm

I think “The Shining” was scrapped all together, sadly. 

[Kad]

Posted: 7/15/23 at 1:18pm

Strangelove is one of my all-time favorite films so I’m a bit skeptical of it being onstage… but having Armando Iannucci onboard to adapt it is perfection. 

[ggersten]

Posted: 7/15/23 at 2:33pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I think “The Shining” was scrapped all together, sadly."

Agreed. I suggested it as a joke only to find out it was really happening - and got enthused by what Van Hove could do. It would have been different - and I think would have been truly frightening (if not scary).

[ggersten]

Posted: 7/16/23 at 11:53am

Iannucci and Foley speak:

"No-one marshals madness on stage better than Sean Foley so it’s been an extremely enjoyable process plotting our mutually assured destruction together.  My hope is audiences will respond to Dr Strangelove on stage with bountiful laughter and shrieks."

Early Hype

[ardiem]

Posted: 7/16/23 at 12:46pm

I love Armando Iannucci's TV and film work (The Thick of It, In the Loop, Veep, Death of Stalin, etc). This looks right up his alley and I'm excited for it!

[Jumpin_J]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 8:32am

After seeing the way he butchered Network, I hate Ivo's work. The petals have fallen off this rose years ago and critics are finally starting to agree. He's just an enfant terrible doing things on stage because he can. Anyone who throws their money away at this garbage, I have zero sympathy for. 

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 8:52am

Jumpin_J said: "After seeing the way he butchered Network, I hate Ivo's work. The petals have fallen off this rose years ago and critics are finally starting to agree. He's just an enfant terrible doing things on stage because he can. Anyone who throws their money away at this garbage, I have zero sympathy for."

Ivo isn't involved with this project. It's adapted by Armando Iannucci (the creator of Veep) and Sean Foley, with Foley directing.

[MikeInTheDistrict]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 10:25am

Iannucci is a perfect fit for this. I'm not familiar with Foley, but the work he's done previously also seems like a good fit. I can't wait to see who they get for the cast.

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 9/26/23 at 8:07am

Steve Coogan set to star

[willep]

Posted: 9/26/23 at 9:12am

Ooh

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/26/23 at 9:25am

Steve Coogan is luxury casting. Crossing my fingers that somehow I’ll end up in London during its run.

Wonder if he will play the same 3 roles as Sellers, or if they’ll switch it up? The roles were always fluid with Sellers during the development process, I believe at one point he was to play the Slim Pickens role as well. 

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 9/5/24 at 8:10am

Full cast announced

[Tom5]

Posted: 9/5/24 at 7:46pm

When Groundhog Day was adapted as a musical someone said no one should have tried to put a flawless movie on stage and that's why it failed.  Might be even more true with Dr. Strangelove.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 9/6/24 at 7:14am

Torn on this, have one open night while in London while this is in previews, but that performance is almost sold out. 

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 10/8/24 at 3:54pm

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 10/8/24 at 3:59pm

Seeing this next week.  Looks epic, can't wait!  

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 10/15/24 at 4:26pm

My god was this painful to sit through: it’s just not funny at all. The acting is fine, it’s well directed and well staged, but there is simply nothing to do other than stare at the scenery and cringe at the attempts at humor. 

Would have sat through Starlight Express again to have avoided this experience!

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 10/15/24 at 5:50pm

Play Esq. said: "My god was this painful to sit through: it’s just not funny at all. The acting is fine, it’s well directed and well staged, but there is simply nothing to do other than stare at the scenery and cringe at the attempts at humor.

Would have sat through Starlight Express again to have avoided this experience!"

YIKES! I mean, they're still in previews, right? When are they opening? I still would like to check this out. Political plays always intrigue me. 

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 10/15/24 at 6:00pm

Dylan: It’s really not a political play so much as it is a line-reading of a political movie (that I admire) with hamstrung current political references.  The complete absence of laughter in the house was staggering…this is a comedy after all. 

Maybe it will improve, but I’m skeptical. I’d suggest to wait until it’s locked and reviews are out before you make your decision. Especially at those prices!

[MezzA101]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 4:14pm

NYT: A Reluctant Satirist Takes On the Bomb

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/22/theater/dr-strangelove-armando-iannucci-veep.html?unlocked_article_code=1.UU4.6UoM.u45VDV8a-Pb8

[FLarnhill]

Posted: 10/25/24 at 2:16am

Had he been alive, Robin Williams would have killed it in this role(s). He always seemed to be the true heir to Peter Sellers.

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 10/31/24 at 5:54am

5/5 stars from Far Out Magazine

3/5 stars from the Financial Times

Four stars from London Living Large

3/5 from The Times

Enquire is negative

3/5 from The Guardian

4/5 from London Theatre

2 stars from i news

3/5 from The Arts Dispatch

4/5 from The Stage

5/5 from BroadwayWorld UK

4/5 from The Express

All of the reviews have high praise specifically for Coogan.

[Dolly80]

Posted: 10/31/24 at 6:10am

Conveniently leaving out the many negative reviews. 
it’s not a success.

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 10/31/24 at 6:15am

Dolly80 said: "Conveniently leaving out the many negative reviews.
it’s not a success."

I posted the ones I was able to find on social media. I didn't "leave anything out".