Strangers on a Train (play)

Last updated

Strangers on a Train
Strangers on a Train (play).jpg
2013 production poster
Written by Craig Warner
Date premiered2 November 2013 (2013-11-02)
Place premiered Gielgud Theatre
Genre Thriller

Strangers on a Train is a play written by Craig Warner and is based on the 1950 novel of the same name by Patricia Highsmith. The show made its West End and world premiere at the Gielgud Theatre on 19 November 2013, following previews from 2 November.

Contents

Production history

Strangers on a Train is a thriller [1] written by Craig Warner, based on the 1950 novel Strangers on a Train [2] written by Patricia Highsmith. [3] Officially confirmed on 20 September 2013, [4] the play began previews on 2 November 2013, [5] before making its world premiere at the Gielgud Theatre on 19 November, [6] booking until 22 February 2014. [7] The production is directed by Robert Allan Ackerman, [8] produced by Barbara Broccoli, with design by Tim Goodchild, lighting by Tim Lutkin, sound by Avgoustas Psillas, projection design by Peter Wilms and costumes by Dona Granata. [9] Casting for the production included Laurence Fox as Guy, [1] Jack Huston as Bruno, [1] Christian McKay as Gerard, Miranda Raison as Anne, Imogen Stubbs as Elsie and MyAnna Buring as Miriam. [10] A typical West End performance runs for two and a half hours, including one interval. [11]

Roles and original cast

CharacterOriginal West End performer [12] [13]
Guy Haines Laurence Fox
Bruno Anthony Jack Huston
Gerard Christian McKay
Anne Faulkner Miranda Raison
Elsie Anthony Imogen Stubbs
Miriam Haines MyAnna Buring
Faulkner Tim Ahern
Treacher Nick Malinowski
Ralph Alastair Natkiel
Dr Swan Scott Sparrow
Myers Tam Williams
Porter/Reporter Luke Beattie
Company Matt Andrews
Company Antony Jardine
Company Anna O'Byrne
Company Pippa Winslow

Critical reception

The West End production of Strangers on a Train received positive reviews from critics. [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cameron Mackintosh</span> British theatre and musical producer (born 1946)

Sir Cameron Anthony Mackintosh is a British theatrical producer and theatre owner notable for his association with many commercially successful musicals. At the height of his success in 1990, he was described as being "the most successful, influential and powerful theatrical producer in the world" by the New York Times. He is the producer of shows including Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Miss Saigon, Mary Poppins, Oliver!, and Hamilton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noël Coward Theatre</span> West End theatre in St. Martins Lane in London, formerly the Albery Theatre

The Noël Coward Theatre, formerly known as the Albery Theatre, is a West End theatre in St. Martin's Lane in the City of Westminster, London. It opened on 12 March 1903 as the New Theatre and was built by Sir Charles Wyndham behind Wyndham's Theatre which was completed in 1899. The building was designed by the architect W. G. R. Sprague with an exterior in the classical style and an interior in the Rococo style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ambassadors Theatre (London)</span> West End theatre in London

The Ambassadors Theatre, is a West End theatre located in West Street, near Cambridge Circus on Charing Cross Road in the City of Westminster. It is one of the smallest of the West End theatres, seating a maximum of 444, with 195 people in the dress circle and 251 in the stalls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gielgud Theatre</span> Theatre in Londons West End since 1906

The Gielgud Theatre is a West End theatre, located on Shaftesbury Avenue, at the corner of Rupert Street, in the City of Westminster, London. The house currently has 994 seats on three levels.

David Haig Collum Ward is an English actor and playwright. He has appeared in West End productions and numerous television and film roles over a career spanning four decades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West End theatre</span> Mainstream professional theatre staged in and near the West End of London

West End theatre is mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres in and near the West End of London. Along with New York City's Broadway theatre, West End theatre represents the highest level of commercial theatre in the English-speaking world. Seeing a West End show is a common tourist activity in London. Famous screen actors, British and international alike, frequently appear on the London stage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Really Useful Group</span> English media company

The Really Useful Group Ltd. (RUG) is an international company set up in 1977 by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It is involved in theatre, film, television, video and concert productions, merchandising, magazine publishing, records and music publishing. The name is inspired by a phrase from the children's book series The Railway Series in which Thomas the Tank Engine and the other locomotives are referred to as "Really Useful Engines".

Imogen Stubbs is an English actress and writer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wyndham's Theatre</span> Theatre in London

Wyndham's Theatre is a West End theatre, one of two opened by actor/manager Charles Wyndham. Located on Charing Cross Road in the City of Westminster, it was designed c. 1898 by W. G. R. Sprague, the architect of six other London theatres between then and 1916. It was designed to seat 759 patrons on three levels; later refurbishment increased this to four seating levels. The theatre was Grade II* listed by English Heritage in September 1960.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria Palace Theatre</span> West End theatre in London, England

The Victoria Palace Theatre is a West End theatre in Victoria Street, in the City of Westminster. The theatre was designed by Frank Matcham in 1911 and was the last London theatre he designed before his retirement. The building was designated as a Grade II* listed building by Historic England in 1972. It has been the west end home of the musical "Hamilton" since 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laurence Fox</span> British actor (born 1978)

Laurence Paul Fox is an English actor. A member of the British entertainment industry's Fox family, he graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and debuted in the film The Hole (2001). His best known role is James Hathaway in the TV drama series Lewis (2006–2015).

<i>Strangers on a Train</i> (novel) 1950 psychological thriller novel by Patricia Highsmith

Strangers on a Train (1950) is a psychological thriller novel by Patricia Highsmith about two men whose lives become entangled after one of them proposes they "trade" murders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nathaniel Parker</span> British actor (born 1962)

Nathaniel Parker is an English stage and screen actor best known for playing the lead in the BBC crime drama series The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, and Agravaine de Bois in the fourth series of Merlin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Huston</span> British actor

Jack Alexander Huston is a British actor. He appeared as Richard Harrow in the HBO television drama series Boardwalk Empire. He also had a supporting role in the 2013 film American Hustle, portrayed the eponymous Ben-Hur in the 2016 historical drama, and appeared as one of the main characters in the fourth season of the FX anthology series Fargo (2020). In 2023, he starred in the supernatural television series Mayfair Witches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Craig Warner</span> American dramatist

Craig Warner is a multiple award-winning playwright and screenwriter who lives and works in Suffolk, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delfont Mackintosh Theatres</span> London theatre group

Delfont Mackintosh Theatres is a theatre group owned by British theatrical producer Cameron Mackintosh. The company was founded in 1991 by Mackintosh and Bernard Delfont when Mackintosh acquired part ownership of the theatre holdings of First Leisure Corporation. The group owns eight London theatres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian McKay</span> English stage and screen actor

Christian Stuart McKay is an English stage and screen actor. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Orson Welles in the 2008 film Me and Orson Welles, for which he was nominated for over two dozen awards including the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also appeared in movies such as Florence Foster Jenkins, The Theory of Everything, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Rush.

<i>Fatal Attraction</i> (play) Play

Fatal Attraction is a 2014 play adapted from his original screenplay by James Dearden. It is based on the 1987 film Fatal Attraction, and it opened in London's West End at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on 25 March 2014, following previews from 8 March.

Simon Joshua Lipkin is an English actor, best known for his work in musical theatre. He has originated roles in several major West End musicals such as Avenue Q and Rock of Ages. His television work includes The Amazing World of Gumball and Doctor Who. He has acted in small roles in film as well as in the starring role in 2018 comedy Nativity Rocks!.

<i>Les Misérables: The Staged Concert</i> Film

Les Misérables: The Staged Concert is a 2019 British live stage recording of the 1980 musical Les Misérables, itself an adaptation of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel, filmed at the Gielgud Theatre in London's West End on 2 December 2019, and broadcast live to UK and Irish cinemas. Starring Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Carrie Hope Fletcher and Matt Lucas, it was the final performance of the stage production Les Misérables: The All-Star Staged Concert, which ran for four months from 10 August. The album was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Acting dynasties collide in revival of thriller Strangers on a Train". London Evening Standard . 16 October 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  2. Lazarus, Susanna (21 September 2013). "Fatal Attraction and Strangers On A Train headed for the West End stage". Radio Times . Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  3. "Boardwalk Empire's Jack Huston on His Famous Family & Murderous Role in London's Strangers on a Train". Broadway.Com. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  4. "Fatal Attraction and Strangers On A Train head to West End stage". BBC News . 20 September 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  5. "Strangers on a Train". Playbill . Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  6. "New Strangers on a Train Trailer". officiallondontheatre.co.uk. Official London Theatre. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  7. "Opening: Strangers on a Train, Eric and Little Ern and In the Next Room or the vibrator play". Whats On Stage. 18 November 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  8. "Laurence Fox and Jack Huston cast in Strangers on a Train at Gielgud". The Stage . 20 September 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  9. "Strangers on a Train, Based on Novel, to Star Laurence Fox and Jack Huston at London's Gielgud Theatre". Playbill . 20 September 2013. Archived from the original on 17 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  10. "Strangers on a Train Will Roll Onto the West End Starring Laurence Fox and Jack Huston". broadway.com. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  11. "Strangers on a Train". Delfont Mackintosh . Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  12. "The Cast". strangersonatrainlondon.com. Strangers on a Train (play). Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  13. "Strangers On A Train". delfontmackintosh.co.uk. Delfont Mackintosh. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  14. "Strangers on a Train stage production thrills critics". bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  15. "Strangers on a Train grips theatre critics". scottishdailyexpress.co.uk. Daily Express. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  16. "Strangers On A Train review". The Guardian . 20 November 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  17. "Strangers on a Train is grippingly unpleasant stuff and heralds the return of the successful thriller in the West End". telegraph.co.uk. The Telegraph. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  18. "Highsmith's psychological thriller pulls into the West End, with a little 'Hitch' still on board". theartsdesk.com. The Arts Desk. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  19. "Strangers On A Train: Theatre review" . independent.co.uk. The Independent. 20 November 2013. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  20. "Craig Warner's play is powerful and compelling". ft.com. Financial Times. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2014.