St James theatre, London Theatreland’s newest venue, is to host its first play festival next month with director Patrick Sandford returning to the venue following his work on its inaugural production Bully Boy.
Programmed as part of the second season in the St James’ intimate studio, The World’s Wife, a one-woman play adapted from the poems of the hugely popular Carol Ann Duffy, will open the festival on 18 February.
Last seen in London at the Trafalgar Studios 2 following its critically acclaimed debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2009, The World’s Wife is performed by actress Linda Marlowe. Arguably best known for her work in the West End with director Steven Berkoff (Decadence, The Trial, Metamorphosis, Hamlet, Greek, Coriolanus), the actress also boasts credits at the Old Vic theatre (A Flea In Her Ear) and the Royal Shakespeare Company (The Virtuoso, Twelfth Night and The Theban Trilogy), as well as films including Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The House Of Mirth.
Savage Beauty will follow the production on 19 February with Carry On star Fenella Fielding leading the cast. Described as “an invigorating cocktail of Euripides, Homer, Sappho and Aristophanes”, the play is presented by the Actors Of Dionysus, a theatre company dedicated to ensuring that ancient Greek Drama remains accessible to modern audiences.
On 20 and 21 February, Silent Witness and The Bill star Jaye Griffiths will perform Nihal, an intensely dramatic and moving story of a mother’s tireless battles and inspiring triumphs in her struggle for her disabled son’s rights based on Rahila Gupta’s The Ballad Of Nihal Armstrong.
Concluding the festival with performances on 23 and 24 February is Bloodshot, a gripping and intelligent mystery with music and magic. Directed by Sandford, the one-man thriller will star Simon Slater, who can currently be seen as Mitch in new musical Viva Forever! and previously appeared in West End productions including Chariots Of Fire and Mamma Mia!.
Following its eclectic first studio season, the St James theatre has also announced a programme of events from musical performances to comedy and cabaret. Highlights include a new comedy night, The Political Party with Matt Forde (16 January and 13 February), the return of Dorian Ford’s Jazz And Roots Fridays, a musical homage to Edith Piaf on 9 March and stand-up from award-winning comedians including David Mills, Carl Donnelly and Nina Conti.