Sigourney Weaver, Tom Hiddleston, and Hayley Atwell will star in a season of Shakespeare at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in the West End, directed by Jamie Lloyd.
BAFTA winner Sigourney Weaver will make her West End debut as Prospero in The Tempest, while Tom Hiddleston will star as Benedick and Hayley Atwell as Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing. The two productions mark the first Shakespeare plays to be presented at the venue since Peter Brook’s production of The Tempest starring John Gielgud in 1957.
Bringing Shakespeare Back to Drury Lane
The return of Shakespeare to the historic Theatre Royal Drury Lane is a significant event for theater lovers. Andrew Lloyd Webber, the owner of the theatre, has been keen to see Shakespeare performed there since his childhood when he was taken to see Peter Brook’s production of The Tempest starring John Gielgud. Webber felt that Shakespeare was “lost to musicals” after that production. Now, he’s determined to prove Gielgud wrong.
Sigourney Weaver’s West End Debut
Weaver, known for her roles in films like Alien and Avatar, is excited to be making her West End debut in The Tempest. She last starred in a Shakespeare play in 1986 when she played Portia in an off-Broadway revival of The Merchant of Venice.
Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell Reunite
Hiddleston and Atwell will reunite on stage to play Benedick and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing. Hiddleston has worked with Lloyd before on Harold Pinter’s Betrayal, and Atwell has worked with Lloyd on The Faith Machine and The Pride. Lloyd is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with both actors again, calling them “two of the finest of our generation.”
A Joyful and Hopeful Season
Lloyd hopes to make the Shakespeare season at Drury Lane a “joyful” one, focusing on the hope of the future. He believes that Weaver’s “commanding presence, huge charisma and that amazing power” are perfect for the role of Prospero, a character who learns about forgiveness and love. Lloyd also emphasized the importance of the two plays’ themes of hope and not dwelling on the past.
A Stripped Back Approach
Both productions of The Tempest and Much Ado About Nothing will be stripped back, with no video elements. Lloyd plans to focus on the powerful performances of the actors and the language of the plays.
A Celebration of Theater
The return of Shakespeare to Theatre Royal Drury Lane is a celebration of theater and a testament to Lloyd’s passion for the art form. The season promises to be a thrilling and memorable experience for audiences.
A Look Ahead
The Tempest opens on Thursday 19 December, with previews from 7 December, running until 1 February 2025, and Much Ado About Nothing opens Wednesday 19 February, with previews from 10 February, running until 5 April 2025. Tickets for the season are available now.
A Legacy of Shakespeare
The Theatre Royal Drury Lane has a long and rich history of presenting Shakespeare. It is fitting that the venue is once again hosting the Bard’s work, and that a renowned actress like Sigourney Weaver is leading the charge. This season promises to be a landmark moment in the history of the theatre, one that will surely be remembered for years to come.
