What’s more exciting than one acclaimed, near-legendary actor performing in the UK premiere of a new play? Two acclaimed, near-legendary actors…
While both Kathleen Turner and Ian McDiarmid might be best known for their work on the silver screen – Turner for films including Peggy Sue Got Married, The War Of The Roses and Romancing The Stone, McDiarmid to an army of sci-fi fans as Star Wars’ Palpatine – their stage work has been as acclaimed as their work on film. Both have Tonys on their mantelpiece, or wherever else they choose to display them, and both have made an impression with previous West End outings.
It is with no little anticipation that theatre fans wait to see what they bring to Bakersfield Mist, the story of an unemployed bartender who buys a cheap painting before deciding it’s a Jackson Pollock. Turner plays the art-purchasing Maude, while McDiarmid plays art expert Lionel, who, when he flies in to examine the find, has little idea what he is actually about to discover.
The play, written by Stephen Sachs, begins previews at the Duchess Theatre on 10 May. Until then, we’ll have to content ourselves with Simon Annand’s brilliant rehearsal shots.