New Theatre, Cardiff
Mon 29 Aug – Sat 3 Sept
In one of the most exciting pairings on stage in recent times, Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart reunite on stage for a tour of Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land following their hit run on Broadway. This production of No Man’s Land received acclaimed reviews at the Cort Theatre in New York, where it ran in repertory with Waiting For Godot. Now the duo are touring the UK, including Cardiff’s New Theatre before a short London run.
The play follows two ageing writers, Hirst and Spooner, who meet in a pub in Hampstead and get increasingly drunk as the evening wears on.
McKellan and Stewart are long-time friends themselves and have brought their friendship to their previous theatre outings, also giving fans a wealth of silly and adorable social media posts of them doing everything from cooking a lobster to going to a funfair together. While the ongoing adventures of McKellan and Stewart probably didn’t hurt tickets sales, the genuine friendship and bond between the two is clear, and makes their performance something truly special. For audiences outside of London too, the chance to see two greats of British stage and screen together is something not to be missed.
The play itself is a classic, and one which perhaps some audiences would normally find intimidating. With the lure of these great actors, a more varied audience will no doubt be attracted to the play, which is a great thing as Pinter, one of the greats of playwriting, is one not to be overlooked. Those who might be intimidated by this play needn’t worry, it’s a funny, engaging and entertaining piece which has audiences hooked from the get go. Not only then do audiences get a treat of a performance duo, but a chance to see a fantastic classic play on stage.
Returning to direct this dynamic piece is Sean Mathias, having also directed the duo in Waiting For Godot. Joining them on stage will be Owen Teale and Damien Molony, a pair of young actors who can more than hold their own against the more famous leads.
Tickets: £11 – £65. Info: 029 2087 8889 / www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk
words EMILY GARSIDE