Martin Shaw stars in Gore Vidal’s The Best Man on tour prior to W/E
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
MARTIN Shaw will lead the cast in the timely UK premiere of Gore Vidal’s award-winning political thriller about ambition, political scandal, ruthlessness… and the race for The White House. Entitled The Best Man, it tours to Windsor, Brighton, Richmond (October 2 – 7, 2017), Bath and Cambridge prior to the West End.
Written before the battles of Trump vs Clinton and May vs Corbyn, Vidal’s drama of dirty politics never seemed more real or relevant. At a time of political chaos, The Best Man mirrors the often surprising results of campaigning and the unscrupulous world of politics.
Two opposing presidential party candidates are neck and neck in an unscrupulous battle for the nomination. The only thing that separates the esteemed ex-Secretary of State and his newcomer populist opponent is an endorsement from a respected ex-President. But where does compromise end and corruption begin? And who in the end will be proven to be “the best man”?
One of the UK’s most respected actors, Martin Shaw rose to stardom in the late seventies in The Professionals, launching a career that has hardly seen him out of the limelight. He is best known for starring in the multi award-winning BBC drama Judge John Deed and more recently Inspector George Gently.
On stage, his performance as Lord Goring in Peter Hall’s production of An Ideal Husband earned him a Tony nomination and the coveted New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award. His other West End triumphs include the acclaimed Twelve Angry Men, Are You Lonesome Tonight? and A Man For All Seasons.
Born into a distinguished political family, Gore Vidal was a prolific writer known for the waspish wit, which peppered his essays, novels, screenplays and Broadway plays. Among his most famous works are Myra Breckinridge and Lincoln.
The Best Man premiered on Broadway in 1960 and was nominated for six Tony Awards, including ‘Best Play’. Vidal adapted it into a film with the same title in 1964 starring Henry Fonda, Cliff Robertson, and Lee Tracy who was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of the crafty ex-President. The play received a major revival on Broadway in 2012 starring James Earl Jones and Angela Lansbury, and earned two Tony award nominations including ‘Best Revival of a Play’.
The Best Man is presented by Bill Kenwright.
For tickets for Richmond Theatre, visit www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-best-man/richmond-theatre/.