ORSON’S SHADOW

Southwark Playhouse, July 2015

1960. Backstage at London’s Royal Court Theatre. Hollywood giants Orson Welles and Laurence Olivier have been persuaded to work together for the first time – the inspired idea of legendary theatre critic, Kenneth Tynan. Welles has agreed to direct Olivier and Joan Plowright in a production of Eugène Ionesco’s masterpiece Rhinoceros. But with Olivier’s eccentric wife Vivien Leigh added to the volatile mix, legendary egos collide both on stage and off.

Based on true events, Orson’s Shadow, by Austin Pendleton, is a critically acclaimed comedy that is a sharp-witted yet tender-hearted exposé of the thin skins, hot tempers, and rampaging egos that exist when two titans of the stage and screen come together.

Nominated for Outstanding Play of the Year in the Lortel Awards on its New York debut.

British Theatre ★★★★★
The Stage ★★★★
Public Reviews ★★★★
West End Wilma ★★★★
West End Frame ★★★★
Stage Review ★★★★

“PURE MAGIC” 
Libby Purves

“A delightful backstage comedy”
The Times

“It doesn’t get much more iconic than this” 
What’s On Stage

“Enormously entertaining with powerhouse performances” 
Stage Review

“Alice Hamilton’s superbly directed production” 
West End Frame

“A behemoth of brilliance. A rich and breathtaking comedy of grit and bite”
Grumpy Gay Critic

“Magnificent in every way” 
Bargain Theatre

Creative Team

Director Alice Hamilton
Set and Costume Designer Max Dorey
Lighting Designer Nicholas Holdridge
Sound Designer Giles Thomas
Production Manager Pip Robinson
Casting Director Ruth O’Dowd
Costume Supervisor Natalie Pryce
Assistant Director Rupert Hands
Producers Emily Dobbs Productions and Robyn Keynes for Smith & Brant Theatricals