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Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 7:23 am
by Sylvia's girl
Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz Heading to Broadway in 'Betrayal'

Daniel Craig is returning to Broadway with wife Rachel Weisz in Harold Pinter's "Betrayal."

The revival, directed by 10-time Tony Award winner Mike Nichols, will begin its limited run in previews on Oct. 1 at the Barrymore Theatre, opening Nov. 3 and running through Jan. 5, 2014.

The play will mark Craig's return to Broadway following his appearance alongside Hugh Jackman in the 2009 hit production of Keith Huff's "A Steady Rain." Weisz, who has appeared on stage in London and off-Broadway, will be making her Broadway debut. The couple married in 2011.

Pinter's play originally premiered at London’s National Theatre in 1978 and was immediately hailed as one of his masterworks. It follows the story of of Emma (Weisz), who is married to Robert (Craig), a publisher, but engaged in a seven-year affair with Jerry (Rafe Spall), a literary agent and Robert’s best friend.

Craig is perhaps best known for his portrayal of James Bond in the movies, "Skyfall," "Quantum of Solace" and "Casino Royale." Weisz recently starred in the hit Disney prequel, "Oz: The Great and Powerful." They appeared together in the 2011 film "Dream House."

Scott Rudin is producing.

http://www.thewrap.com/culture/article/ ... ayal-84216

Bond and his babe face adulterous ‘Betrayal’

Bond is coming back to Broadway, this time with his better half.

And I don’t mean Blofeld! Daniel Craig, the reigning 007, will star opposite his wife, Rachel Weisz, in a revival of Harold Pinter’s “Betrayal” starting Oct. 1 for just 14 weeks at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.

They will be joined by Rafe Spall (“The Life of Pi”) in Pinter’s heart wrenching tale of adultery.

Mike Nichols, who won his sixth Tony for last year’s “Death of a Salesman,” will direct. The producer is Scott Rudin, or “R.” as he’s soon to be known since, likeM. in the Bond movies, he’s a master chess player behind the scenes.

Craig will star as Robert and Weisz as his wife, Emma. Spall, whose father is celebrated movie actor Timothy Spall (“Secrets and Lies”), will play Robert’s best friend, Jerry, who’s in love with Emma.

Pinter lays out the course of their affair in reverse chronological order, which gives the play an extra fillip of poignancy at the end, when we see how much in love Robert and Emma once were.

Though Craig’s now one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood, he likes to keep an oar in the theater. He received strong reviews a few seasons back as a corrupt Chicago cop in “A Steady Rain.” His costar was Hugh Jackman, and their combined box-office clout drove the advance sale past $10million on opening night.

The play was a little dreary, but Craig and Jackman put on the best after show in town when, to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, they camped it up onstage and auctioned off their sweaty Tshirts, which fetched more than $10,000 a piece.

Weisz is active in the theater as, well, winning raves as Blanche DuBois in “A Street car Named Desire” a few years ago in London. She’s also appeared in “Suddenly, Last Summer” and “Design for Living.”

Nichols was a close friend of Pinter and his wife, Antonia Fraser, but has never directed one of Pinter’s plays. He did, however, direct “The Real Thing,” which was written by Pinter’s rival, Tom Stoppard.

“The Real Thing” also deals with adultery and betrayal. Nichols won a Tony for his staging.

After picking up the Tony last year for “Death of a Salesman,” Nichols, it was whispered in Shubert Alley, was going to retire. He’s 81 and, truth be told, seemed a little frail at the Tony Award ceremony. But associates say he has no intention of resting on his awards—Tonys, Oscars, BAFTAs, Kennedy Center.

Right after “Salesman” closed, R. called him up and said, “What do you want to do next?” Nichols didn’t hesitate: “Pinter.”

“Betrayal” was first produced in New York in 1980, with Raul Julia, Roy Scheider and a sensational Blythe Danner.

David Leveaux directed a well received revival at the Roundabout Theater Company in 2000, with Juliette Binoche, Liev Schreiber andamemorable John Slattery.

The play is said to be based on Pinter’s seven year affair with BBC television presenter Joan Bakewell, now a Labour Party peer. Though Pinter never spoke publicly about the affair, it was an open secret in London theater and media circles.

This fall, New Yorkers can get a double dose of Pinter. Along with “Betrayal,” there’ll be a revival of the cryptic “No Man’s Land” starring Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, probably at the St. James.

Stewart and McKellen will alternate “NoMan’s Land” with Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot.”

Pinter died on Christmas Eve 2008. His last words, as recorded by Fraser in her book “Must You Go?” were: “What are your plans?” Pause. “Generally.”

michael.riedel@nypost.com

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/t ... iVSduKf1eJ

Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 7:43 am
by Germangirl
Hm - Nichols a bit frail, eh? But as long as his brain functioned, he should be able to direct a good play.

So now, we have a firm confirmation. 1 months of previews? How long were those for Rain? I don't remember, but not that long, or...?

Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 7:51 am
by Sylvia's girl
Germangirl wrote:Hm - Nichols a bit frail, eh? But as long as his brain functioned, he should be able to direct a good play.

So now, we have a firm confirmation. 1 months of previews? How long were those for Rain? I don't remember, but not that long, or...?
Previews for rain ran from sept 10 and opened on Sept 29. :wink:

Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 8:18 am
by Germangirl
Sylvia's girl wrote:
Germangirl wrote:Hm - Nichols a bit frail, eh? But as long as his brain functioned, he should be able to direct a good play.

So now, we have a firm confirmation. 1 months of previews? How long were those for Rain? I don't remember, but not that long, or...?
Previews for rain ran from sept 10 and opened on Sept 29. :wink:
Thanks :D - so here we have a longer period then.

Elisa, sf, what is normal for previews?

Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 12:15 pm
by Sylvia's girl

Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 3:13 pm
by Germangirl
The tweets are all about the play now.

Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 6:50 pm
by caramel
"limited run in previews on Oct. 1 at the Barrymore Theatre, opening Nov. 3 "

I don't get this. What does previews mean for a Broadway play?
Like they will perform for reviewers and such? and it will open to the public in Nov? Is that right?

Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 7:07 pm
by Dunda
caramel wrote:"limited run in previews on Oct. 1 at the Barrymore Theatre, opening Nov. 3 "

I don't get this. What does previews mean for a Broadway play?
Like they will perform for reviewers and such? and it will open to the public in Nov? Is that right?
Yep!

ASR had first preview on 10th September 2009 and opened on 29th September..

Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 7:25 pm
by bumblebee
Dunda wrote:
caramel wrote:"limited run in previews on Oct. 1 at the Barrymore Theatre, opening Nov. 3 "

I don't get this. What does previews mean for a Broadway play?
Like they will perform for reviewers and such? and it will open to the public in Nov? Is that right?
Yep!

ASR had first preview on 10th September 2009 and opened on 29th September..
That's a lot of reviewers? Why such a long window for previews?

Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 7:50 pm
by Germangirl
I think, it is different. Previews are, of course, open to the general public, but the critics are not allowed to write reviews until it officially opens. I remember Daniel saying "We are getting better" during the preview time. So its actually the time, where they can play around with it still and try to get it right by the time, it opens in November. In the end, there is not really much difference, just that the reviews come out in November.

Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 7:51 pm
by Germangirl

Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 8:10 pm
by Littlesue
Daniel looks a lot taller than Rachel in Lainey's pics, she must have her flats on!

Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 8:11 pm
by Sylvia's girl
Germangirl wrote:I think, it is different. Previews are, of course, open to the general public, but the critics are not allowed to write reviews until it officially opens. I remember Daniel saying "We are getting better" during the preview time. So its actually the time, where they can play around with it still and try to get it right by the time, it opens in November. In the end, there is not really much difference, just that the reviews come out in November.
Thats right. the previews are open to the public for a discounted price and not open to reviewers until opening night.

Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 1:06 pm
by Sylvia's girl
Just been flicking through the play, it looks as though Jerry (Rafe) has the biggest part. He's in every seen bar one. The other two parts seem fairly equal, Rachels may be slightly bigger but not much in it.

Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 1:30 pm
by Germangirl
Sylvia's girl wrote:Just been flicking through the play, it looks as though Jerry (Rafe) has the biggest part. He's in every seen bar one. The other two parts seem fairly equal, Rachels may be slightly bigger but not much in it.
That was my impression as well. Hm...he could have chosen either one, why Robert?

But I have also just flipped through it. Do you think, Roberts role has some meat to it though? I hope...He will let them overshadow him again :evil: