Swimming with Sharks - Baxendale joins Slater
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
HELEN Baxendale will play sexy producer Dawn Lockyard alongside Christian Slater as vicious Hollywood producer Buddy Ackerman in the world premiere of Swimming with Sharks, which opens at the Vaudeville Theatre on October 16, 2007 (previews from October 5).
Baxendale is probably best known for her work on television, in particular, for her roles in Cold Feet (as Rachel Bradley), Cardiac Arrest (as Dr. Claire Maitland) and Friends (as Emily Waltham, Ross’ girlfriend/wife/ex-wife).
Her other screen credits include An Unsuitable Job for a Woman, The Cappuccino Years, Ordinary Decent Criminal and Dead by Monday. On stage, her most recent credits include The Woman Before (Royal Court) and After Miss Julie (Donmar Warehouse).
Also in the cast of Swimming with Sharks will be Matt Smith (Fresh Kills, That Face, The History Boys and Chatroom/Citizenship) as Buddy’s assistant Guy, Elizabeth Croft, Arthur Darvill, Mark Edel-Hunt, Jonathan Newth and Fanos Xenofos.
Previously Posted: Hollywood actor Christian Slater is returning to the West End – to the Vaudeville Theatre – to star in the world premiere of Swimming with Sharks, which runs for a limited 15-week season from October 16 (previews from October 5).
In the stage adaptation of the cult 1994 film, Slater will play vicious Hollywood producer Buddy Ackerman (Kevin Spacey in the film), one of the most powerful men in the cut-throat world of Hollywood and a boss from hell.
Guy, his eager and idealistic new assistant and would-be screenwriter, soon finds himself serving as Buddy’s personal slave. However, in his quest for success, Guy endures Buddy’s relentless abuse – until he reaches breaking point when a showdown ensues, with devastating consequences.
Commenting on the role, Slater said, “The moment I read this script I knew I had to do it. This is a fantastic, edge of the seat, gripping story told with a wickedly funny wit. It’s a great role, a great play and I can’t wait to get back on to the London stage – it’s like my second home.”
Slater made his West End debut – at the Gielgud Theatre – in 2004 playing RP McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, a role he reprised at the Garrick Theatre only last year. His Broadway credits include Side Man, David Copperfield, Merlin, Macbeth, The Music Man and, most recently, The Glass Menagerie.
He is, though, probably best known for his numerous film appearances – in Heathers, True Romance, Pump Up the Volume, Young Guns II, Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves, True Romance, Interview With the Vampire, Broken Arrow, Very Bad Things, The Good Shepherd, Bobby and Slipstream.
Swimming with Sharks has been adapted by UK playwright and screenwriter Michael Lesslie and will be directed by Wilson Milam whose credits include the award-winning The Lieutenant Of Inishmore, Harvest and Hurlyburly. He is currently directing Othello at Shakespeare’s Globe.
Further casting has yet to be announced.
Stomp is currently playing at the Vaudeville. b>Read more