Robert Lindsay will reprise his performance as Aristotle Onassis when the Chichester Festival Theatre production of Martin Sherman’s new play transfers to the Novello theatre from 30 September to 5 February (press night 12 October).
Originally called Aristo but now renamed Onassis, Sherman’s play centres on the last five years in the life of the Greek shipping magnate who died in 1975, particularly his relationships with Jackie Kennedy, Maria Callas and his son Alexandros. Based on material from Peter Evans’s book Nemesis, Onassis is an explosive account of how those in positions of enormous power and wealth often live lives detached from the realities and moral codes of everyday existence.
Lindsay, who created the role of Onassis when the play premiered in Chichester in 2008, will recreate his performance in London, where he was last seen in The Entertainer at the Old Vic. The two-times Laurence Olivier Award-winning actor’s other stage credits include Oliver!, Me And My Girl and Richard III, while he is also well known for his television work including BBC sitcom My Family.
Lindsay is joined in Nancy Meckler’s production by London stage regulars Lydia Leonard as Jackie Kennedy and Anna Francolini as Maria Callas. The cast also includes Tom Austen, Liz Crowther, Ben Grove, Robert Hastie, John Hodgkinson, Sue Kelvin, Graeme Taylor and Gawn Grainger.
Playwright Sherman’s other work includes the plays Bent and When She Danced, the book for the musical The Boy From Oz and the screenplay for the film Mrs Henderson Presents.
Onassis plays at the Novello theatre following Tap Dogs, which runs until 5 September.
CB