American actor and comedian Robin Williams is bringing his stand-up show Weapons Of Self-Destruction to the Gielgud theatre for two nights only on 13 and 14 November, in aid of the Prince’s Trust.
Williams’s brief appearance on Shaftesbury Avenue comes in the middle of his sold out 35-city North American tour which launched in Minneapolis in September. Now London audiences will have a chance to catch the comedian’s particular brand of high-energy comedy, in which he uses his trademark free associations to highlight social and political absurdities.
Launching the tour in August, Williams hinted at a particular focus on outgoing US President George W Bush: “It’s an election year, which is basically Christmas for stand-up comics,” said Williams. “And I figured I should get my ass on the road while the Shrub is still in office. A lot has happened in the world and in my life since I last did this six years ago and there’s no better thrill and no better therapy than getting on that high-wire in front of a live audience.”
The comedian’s last American tour was in 2002, his first in 16 years. One of the highest-grossing comedy tours in history, the final performance on Broadway was filmed by HBO and earned five Emmy nominations.
As an actor, Chicago-born Williams achieved early success in television comedy Mork And Mindy, before going on to rack up numerous hit films including Good Morning Vietnam, Dead Poet’s Society, Mrs Doubtfire, Hook, The Birdcage, Jumanji, The Fisher King, Night At The Museum and Good Will Hunting, for which he won an Oscar in 1998.
Williams’s appearance at the Gielgud means that another comedian, Bill Bailey, will get two nights off; his show Tinselworm plays at the theatre from 11 November to 20 December. Currently playing at the Gielgud is Six Characters In Search Of An Author which closes tomorrow.
CB