Watch out for . . .
Martin McDonagh’s dynamite new play hangmen, starring David Morrissey (right), andy nyman and Johnny Flynn, which transferred from the royal Court to Wyndham’s theatre (where it’s on till March 5). the delicious black comedy will be getting the bigscreen, national theatre Live treatment when it is beamed live into cinemas in the UK and some other countries on March 3, and elsewhere around the globe on varying later dates. it’s a coup for nt Live to get one of the hottest tickets in town. Even though i’ve seen the play — about a couple of retired executioners after capital punishment has been abolished in the UK — twice, i’m keen to see how director Matthew Dunster marshals the nt Live cameras; and how it comes across on the screen. it’s the first time nt Live has worked with the royal Court, though hangmen producers robert Fox and Matthew Byam shaw screened another of their productions, the audience, with helen Mirren, through the national’s broadcasting initiative.
JOHN ASTLEY, the former professional snooker player (below), who will make his acting debut alongside Jack O’Connell, Mark Addy, Ralf Little, Chris Brailsford, Esther Coles, Louise Gold, Dermot Crowley, Youssef Kerkour and Rochenda Sandall in Richard Bean’s new play The Nap, about a young player (O’Connell) striving to make his mark on the game. Astley will also give the cast a few tips on how to pocket a ball or two. After all, he knows the Crucible in Sheffield — where major tournaments are played, and where The Nap will be performed — very well. Richard Wilson will direct the comedy thriller from March 10. O’Connell told me he has been away from the stage for too long. ‘I love making films, but theatre is vital for me,’ he said.
MatthEW PErry, who has been joined in his playwriting debut, the End of Longing, by Lloyd owen, Christina Cole and new york theatre actress Jennifer Mudge. Director Lindsay Posner started rehearsals with his company this week and the dramatic comedy, about a quartet of damaged people looking for love and friendship, will begin previews at the Playhouse theatre in London’s West End from February 2.
MATT DAMON and Alicia Vikander, who are in Las Vegas for several weeks, shooting segments of Paul Greengrass’s latest Bourne movie. Damon, who’s so good in Ridley Scott’s thoroughly entertaining The Martian, said that after Vegas, they will relocate to London for further filming. Ms Vikander can be seen in cinemas now in The Danish Girl, alongside Eddie Redmayne. She anchors the film beautifully.