Park Theatre’s Artistic Director Jez Bond will direct Miriam Margolyes, Frances Barber and Jonathan Forbes in the world premiere of Madame Rubinstein, a brand new comedy by John Misto, playing at Park Theatre from 26 April – 27 May, with a press night on 3 May.
Set against the glamorous skylines of 1950s Manhattan, world-leading cosmetics entrepreneur Helen Rubinstein is locked in a power struggle with rivals Elizabeth Arden and Revlon. From humble beginnings as a Polish-Jewish immigrant, this is the story behind one of the best-known faces in the world of beauty.
But as her professional and family conflicts reach fever pitch, will the ghosts of a turbulent past topple one of the world’s richest business women. Madame Rubinstein is a bright new comedy where the nails are painted and the gloves are off. Yet when the lipstick bleeds and the makeup fades, what is there left to hide behind?
BAFTA award-winning Miriam Margolyes (Harry Potter, Romeo & Juliet, The Age of Innocence) will star as ‘Helena Rubinstein’, Frances Barber (Doctor Who, Silk, Julius Caesar) will star as ‘Elizabeth Arden’, and Jonathan Forbes (‘Fergal’ in Channel 4’s hit show Catastrophe) will star as ’Irish’.
Park Theatre Founder and Artistic Director Jez Bond said, “I’m thrilled to have assembled such a stellar cast for our next in-house production, which I’m pleased to say is already the fastest selling show in Park Theatre’s history.
“Both in terms of the current, continuing debate on feminism and identity, and in terms of their incredible struggle in a male dominated world, the true story of these 20th Century pioneers – one of whom was an Eastern European migrant – continues to resonate in 2017. I’m delighted to be directing this world premiere that I’m sure will delight and amuse as well as inform and challenge audiences.”
Madame Rubinstein is presented by Park Theatre and Oliver Mackwood in association with TBO Productions, with lighting by Mark Howland, design by Al Turner, sound design by David Gregory, composition by Dimitri Scarlato, and casting by Ellie Collyer-Bristow.
Park Theatre is fast becoming recognised as a powerhouse of theatre; in just under four years, it has enjoyed two West End transfers (including Daytona starring Maureen Lipman and The Boys in the Band starring Mark Gatiss), two National Theatre transfers, three national tours, an Olivier Award nomination and a Theatre of the Year award from The Stage.