Robin Williams: Weapons of Self-Destruction
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
ACTOR and comedian Robin Williams is bringing his new solo show, Weapons of Self-Destruction, to London – to the Gielgud Theatre – for two nights only. The performances, both in aid of the Prince’s Trust, take place on November 13 and November 14, 2008.
It means that Bill Bailey, whose latest show Tinselworm runs at the Gielgud from November 10 to December 20, will have two nights off.
Williams’ appearance in London comes in the middle of his sold out 35-city North American tour which launched in Minneapolis in September. It’s a show that not only pokes fun at outgoing US President George W Bush but also touches on Williams’ own life and his struggles with divorce, addiction and rehab.
As he explained at the show’s August launch: “It’s an election year, which is basically Christmas for stand-up comics. And I figured I should get my ass on the road while the Shrub is still in office. A lot has happened in the world and in my life since I last did this six years ago and there’s no better thrill and no better therapy than getting on that high-wire in front of a live audience.”
Williams’ last American tour, his first for 16 years, was in 2002 and became one of the highest-grossing comedy tours in history. The final performance on Broadway was filmed by HBO and earned five Emmy nominations.
As an actor, he became a household name in the television series Mork and Mindy, which ran from 1978 to 1982. He then went on to appear in films such as Good Morning Vietnam, Dead Poet’s Society, Mrs Doubtfire, Hook, The Birdcage, Jumanji, The Fisher King and Good Will Hunting, for which he received an Academy Award.