After taking a few days off work due to illness, Scarlett Johansson made her comeback to play the character of Maggie in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. She was pleasantly surprised to find Meryl Streep sitting in the front row during her first performance back.
When you go to see a play in New York, chances are high that you might come across some A-list celebrities like Jessica Lange, Kelly Reilly, and Anna Wintour. It’s fascinating to see Oscar and Tony winners along with celebrated writers and directors attending these events. However, upon introspection, I’ve realized that the one star I spot most frequently is Meryl Streep. What impresses me the most about her is how she prefers to keep a low profile during the intermissions, not wanting to attract too much attention. Her contagious laughter is an absolute delight to witness.
The talented Scarlett Johansson has recently graced the stage with her presence, taking on the role of Maggie in the renowned play Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. Her delivery of the memorable line “no-neck monsters” was met with great satisfaction from the audience. Meryl Streep herself was thoroughly engaged by the intense interactions between Scarlett and Benjamin Walker, who played her “crippled” husband Brick, as well as the Act 2 exchange between Brick and Big Daddy, portrayed by Ciaran Hinds. While the play is still undergoing some adjustments before the critics’ previews over the upcoming weekend and early next week, it’s already clear that Maggie the Cat is a remarkable character, with many recalling Elizabeth Taylor’s performance in the film adaptation. Even as a child, it was difficult to understand why Paul Newman’s character, the drunken Brick, didn’t desire her.
The left side of the picture depicts Scarlett Johansson as Maggie and Benjamin Walker as her disabled husband Brick. Meanwhile, the right side showcases legendary actors Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor in the 1958 movie version of A Cat On A Tin Roof.
According to the play director, the two characters in the play won’t have a happy ending. Maggie still holds onto hope that she can spend a night with Brick, who is played by the charming Benjamin Walker, without him giving in to alcohol. This is a sad reality for Maggie, and it’s heartbreaking to see her struggle. Interestingly, Walker is married to Mamie Gummer, Meryl Streep’s daughter, who was also present at the theater with her family. On another note, Judi Dench has always been a popular figure in the West End, and her appearance in Skyfall made her even more sought-after. She will be starring in a new play called Peter And Alice, alongside Ben Whishaw, with rehearsals beginning in January and performances starting in March at the Noel Coward Theatre. Dench is thrilled to be part of the production and work with the company.
The famous actress Dame Judi Dench has been cast in a new play called Peter and Alice, which focuses on the real-life meeting of Alice Liddell Hargreaves and Peter Llewelyn Davies. Alice served as the inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s iconic Alice in Wonderland, while Peter was the basis for J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. The play explores their lives after childhood and how they coped with their public personas. The production, led by Michael Grandage and James Bierman, also stars Olly Alexander and Ruby Bentall as Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland. Other cast members include Nicholas Farrell as Carroll, Derek Riddell as Barrie, and Stefano Braschi in several roles. In other news, Sam Mendes is reportedly in talks to direct the next James Bond film, Bond 24, along with franchise producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
Sam Mendes, the famed director behind the successful James Bond film Skyfall, is currently considering directing a new movie in 2014. This schedule works well for Mendes, who has already committed to directing the upcoming musical Charlie And The Chocolate Factory this year. The cast includes Douglas Hodge, Nigel Planer, Myra Sands, Jack Shalloo, Alex Clatworthy, Paul J. Medford, and Jasna Ivir in various roles. Alongside choreographer Peter Darling, Mendes has selected an impressive ensemble of dancers to play the Oompa Loompas. Previews for Charlie And The Chocolate Factory are set for May 18th at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, with opening night on June 25th. With the decision to shoot Bond 24 in 2014, the producers now have more time to secure top-notch actors to star alongside Daniel Craig and Ralph Fiennes.
