Broadway-Bound La Bête Revival Begins London Run June 26 | Playbill

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News Broadway-Bound La Bête Revival Begins London Run June 26 The revival of David Hirson's 1991 Molière-inspired verse satire La Bête, starring Tony Award winners David Hyde Pierce and Mark Rylance and BAFTA winner Joanna Lumley, begins previews June 26 at London's Comedy Theatre.

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Promo art for La B

Tony and Olivier Award-winning director Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage, Boeing-Boeing, The Norman Conquests) helms the 17th century-set production that will first open at the Comedy July 7 and run through Sept. 4, prior to arriving on Broadway Sept. 23 at the Music Box Theatre. An official opening has been set for Oct. 14.

In addition to Hyde Pierce (Curtains, Spamalot), Rylance (Boeing-Boeing, Jerusalem) and Lumley ("Absolutely Fabulous"), the transatlantic cast includes Stephen Ouimette, Lisa Joyce, Greta Lee, Robert Lonsdale, Michael Milligan, Liza Sadovy, Sally Wingert, Deanne Lorette and Steve Routman.

For the new staging, the role of Prince Conti (originated on Broadway by Dylan Baker) has been changed to Princess Conti, with Lumley in the part. According to producers, "La Bête is a comic tour de force about Elomire (Pierce), a high-minded classical dramatist who loves only the theater, and Valere (Rylance), a low-brow street clown who loves only himself. When the fickle princess (Lumley) decides she’s grown weary of Elomire’s royal theatre troupe, he and Valere are left fighting for survival as art squares off with ego in a literary showdown for the ages."

La Bête is produced in London and New York by Scott Landis and Sonia Friedman Productions, Roger Berlind, Robert G. Bartner/Norman Tulchin, Bob Boyett/Tim Levy, Roy Furman, Max Cooper, Philip Morgaman/Frankie J. Grande and Bud Martin. The production has set design by Mark Thompson, lighting design by Hugh Vanstone, music by Claire van Kampen and sound design by Simon Baker.

La Bête made its short-lived Broadway premiere in 1991, playing 25 performances at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre. The original cast featured Dylan Baker, Micheal Cumpsty and Tom McGowan. The play received acclaim when it arrived in London in 1992, earning the Olivier Award for Best Comedy.

For tickets to the London run phone 0844 871 7627 or visit LaBetethePlay.

Tickets for the Broadway run are available by phoning (212) 239-6200 or by visiting Telecharge.

 
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