Carrie's War - Apollo Theatre
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
EMMA Reeves’ stage adaptation of Nina Bawden’s classic 1973 novel, Carrie’s War, opens at the Apollo Theatre on June 24, 2009 (previews from June 18).
When the air raids of the Second World War threaten their safety in the city, Carrie and her brother are evacuated to a small Welsh village. But the countryside has dangers and adventures of its own – and a group of characters who will change Carrie’s life for ever.
There’s mean Mr Evans, kind Auntie Lou, brilliant young Albert Sandwich and Mr Johnny, who speaks a language all of his own. Then there’s Hepzibah Green the witch at Druids Grove, and the ancient skull with its terrifying curse…
Andrew Loudon directs a cast that includes Prunella Scales (as Mrs Gotobed), Sarah Edwardson (Carrie), Amanda Symonds (Hepzibah), James Beddard (Mr Johnny), Kacey Ainsworth (Lou), John Heffernan (Albert Sandwich), James Joyce (Nick), Daniel Llewelyn-Williams (Major Harper) and Sion Tudor Owen (Mr Evans).
Although she’ll never be forgotten as Sybil Fawlty in the 1970’s sitcom Fawlty Towers, Scales’ career has also encompassed film and stage, where her credits include An Evening with Queen Victoria, When We Are Married, Single Spies, Long Day’s Journey Into Night and The Matchmaker. On screen, she has appeared in The Rector’s Wife, Searching, The Merry Wives of Windsor, What the Butler Saw and Signs and Wonders (TV); Hobson’s Choice, The Boys from Brazil, A Chorus of Disapproval and Howard’s End (film).
Edwardson previously appeared as Carrie during the production’s run at Sadler’s Wells (Christmas 2006). Her other theatre credits include Little Women (Duchess and Lilian Baylis Theatres), Misconceptions, Everlasting Rose, Crash, Incarcerator and the workshop performance of Verbatim (Young Vic). On television, she has appeared in Murder in Mind and Holby City.
Although she has appeared on television in A Touch of Frost, The Bill, Holby Blue and Hotel Babylon, Ainsworth is best known for her portrayal of Maureen ‘Little Mo’ Slater in EastEnders, a role she played for six years. Her stage credits include Serving It Up and The Exonerated.
Carrie’s War is booking until September 12, 2009.
Three Days of Rain continues at the Apollo Theatre until May 9, 2009.
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Three Days of Rain is followed by Rob Brydon Live! (May 11 to May 23) and Marilyn (June 3 to June 13, 2009).
Read more about Marilyn