The Tom-Toms are heading straight into the West End
THE message from the Tom-Toms — that’s Stoppard and Hollander — is that the hit production of their play, Travesties, is transferring into the West End. Unless you were smart enough to have booked several months ago, it’s virtually impossible to get a ticket to see the scorching revival of Stoppard’s play, which stars Hollander at the Menier Chocolate Factory . However, take heart, because David Babani, who runs the Chocolate Factory, has found a theatre in the West End into which to move Travesties. He told me that he and producer Sonia Friedman have joined forces to transfer the show, which is directed by Patrick Marber, into the Apollo, Shaftesbury Avenue, for a limited run from February 3. Tickets for Chocolate Factory members will be available from Monday; while seats will go on general sale on Wednesday. Hollander plays Henry Carr — a British civil servant, working in Switzerland, who finds himself at a fascinating historical intersection — and delivers a masterclass in comic timing. It’s one of the year’s best stage performances. The actor, star of the comedy TV series Rev, enjoyed particular success when cast against type earlier this year as the brutish Corky Corkoran in the BBC hit The Night Manager (he had it in for Tom Hiddleston’s character . . . and with good reason).
I asked Babani if Travesties would move to New York after the West End. ‘Broadway would be a lovely thing, if possible,’ Babani said, coyly. And there’s precedent: the Menier’s production of The Color Purple, with Cynthia Erivo, has become a smash in New York. The theatre has had other West End transfers this year, too, including The Truth and David Baddiel’s My Family: Not The Sitcom.
‘It’s been a wonderful year,’ said Babani, who also presented (again with Friedman) Funny Girl, starring Sheridan Smith. That is due to tour the UK next year.
The artistic director said he hoped the full company from the Chocolate Factory would move with Hollander, but last night those deals were still being sorted out.