Under the Blue Sky - Duke of York's Theatre
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
ANNA Mackmin directs Francesca Annis, Lisa Dillon, Chris O’Dowd, Dominic Rowan and Catherine Tate in the West End premiere of David Eldridge’s Under The Blue Sky which opens at the Duke of York’s Theatre on July 25, 2008 (previews from July 15).
Under The Blue Sky is described as a funny and touching play in which three subtly connected love stories reveal in turn the roller-coaster ride of lust in its prime, the sacrifices of a life in public service and unrequited passions.
Eldridge’s play gives an all too recognisable portrayal of the way in which uncertainties, misunderstanding and the unsaid lead to unexpected results for three couples who seem destined never to say the right thing.
Francesca Annis (Anne) has most recently been seen on television as Lady Ludlow in the BBC’s award-winning Cranford, a role she will reprise in a two part Christmas Special in 2009. Her other TV credits include the critically acclaimed Wives and Daughters (BBC), Jane Eyre, Miss Marple, Copenhagen, Madame Bovary and Onassis: The Richest Man in the World in which she played Jacqueline Kennedy.
Annis last appeared in the West End opposite Joseph Fiennes in Epitaph for George Dillon (Comedy Theatre). Her other theatre credits include The Glass Menagerie (Gate Theatre Dublin); Henry IV and The Vortex (Donmar Warehouse); Ibsen’s Ghosts; the title role in Hedda Gabler (Chichester Festival Theatre); Mrs Klein (National Theatre); and Rosmersholm (Young Vic).
Her many film credits include Revolver, The Libertine, Onegin and Roman Polanski’s Macbeth (as Lady Macbeth).
Lisa Dillon‘s (Helen) theatre credits include Present Laughter and The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other (National Theatre); Period of Adjustment and Hedda Gabler (Almeida Theatre); Desdemona in Othello (Royal Shakespeare Company); Hilda Wangel in The Master Builder (Albery Theatre) for which she won the Ian Charleson Award and the Critics’ Circle Most Promising Newcomer Award; The Cherry Orchard; As You Like It; and Iphigenia, which was directed by Anna Mackmin for Sheffield Theatres.
Her screen credits include Bright Young Things (film); the award-winning Cranford (as Mary Smith), Hawking and Cambridge Spies (all for BBC TV).
Chris O’Dowd (Nick), who will be making his West End stage debut in Under the Blue Sky is probably best known as Roy in Channel 4’s hit comedy series The IT Crowd. His other TV credits include Roman’s Empire, The Clinic, Doc Martin, The Amazing Mrs Pritchard, The Year London Blew Up, Red Cap and Showbands. And his film credits include Vera Drake, Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel, Hippie Hippie Shake, How To Lose Friends and Alienate People and Festival for which he won a Scottish BAFTA for his role as stand-up comedian Tommy O’Dwyer.
Dominic Rowan‘s (Graham) stage credits include A Voyage Round My Father and Lobby Hero (Donmar Warehouse); Way to Heaven (Royal Court); Happy Now?, A Dream Play, Mourning Becomes Electra, Talking Cure, Three Sisters, Private Lives and Iphigenia at Aulis (National Theatre); and The Merchant of Venice, Two Gentlemen of Verona and Talk of the City (Royal Shakespeare Company).
His screen credits include Catwalk Dogs, Trial and Retribution, The Lavender List, Silent Witness, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Lost World, Swallow, Emma and North Square (TV); Peter Greenaway’s Tulse Luper’s Suitcases (film).
Under the Blue Sky is designed by Lez Brotherston with lighting by Mark Henderson and sound by Paul Arditti, and is produced in the West End by Sonia Friedman Productions and Robert G. Bartner. Final casting will be announced shortly.
Under the Blue Sky is initially booking until September 20, 2008.
Read about Catherine Tate, David Eldridge and Anna Mackmin