King Glenda in talks to reign over Broadway
GLENDA Jackson, every inch a king in her comeback role as Lear, is in discussions about moving the Old Vic production to the West End and Broadway. The actress won a series of rave reviews from critics following her return to the stage after a quarter of a century spent as a member of Parliament. Now, the producing team at the Old Vic has joined forces with producers Sonia Friedman, Bob Bartner and Scott Rudin to explore theatre availability in both the commercial West End and in New York during 2017. I’m told that Jackson, who won Oscars for Women In Love and A Touch Of Class, is ‘excited’ about continuing to play Lear in London and then transferring to Broadway, where she last appeared 28 years ago as Lady Macbeth opposite Christopher Plummer in the title role. Deborah Warner, who directed Jackson as Lear, will be studying a shortlist of theatres and other venues for the right space to mount her modern-day production. One problem, though, will be keeping the current company together. Will the full cast will be available to move? Rhys Ifans, who plays Fool, and Lear’s daughters, played by Celia Imrie, Jane Horrocks and Morfyd Clark, have all been consulting their schedules.
The younger members of the cast — Clark’s scorching Cordelia; Simon Manyonda’s deceitful Edmund; and Harry Melling’s honest Edgar — should certainly go on the journey with Jackson.
The experience of working with such a great (and generous) thespian is like receiving a nightly masterclass from a wonderful theatre artist.
Also, longer runs in Central London and Manhattan may give some of the ‘scurvy politicians’ Lear talks about a chance to see Jackson give a performance for the ages.
A spokesperson for the Old Vic stressed that ‘nothing is confirmed’ about any Jackson King Lear transfers at this stage.