She will play Cleopatra opposite Jeffery Kissoon as Antony in a new production to be directed by actor-turned-director Janet Suzman at Liverpool Playhouse. It will begin performances Oct. 8, prior to an official opening Oct. 14, for a run through Nov. 13.
Cattrall, who was born in Mossley Hill, Liverpool, before her family emigrated to Canada when she was three months old, returned to Britain later to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). She has previously worked with Suzman when they both appeared in the West End in Whose Life is it Anyway? under the direction of Sir Peter Hall at the Comdy Theatre in 2005. She has also appeared on the London stage in David Mamet's The Cryptogram at the Donmar Warehouse in 2006. Best known for her Golden Globe Award-winning performance as Samantha Jones in the HBO TV series "Sex and the City" and the subsequent two film versions, she has also appeared on film in Roman Polanski's "The Ghost Writer" (simply called "The Ghost" in its current U.K. release), "Meeting Monica Valour," "The Three Musketeers," "Bonfire of the Vanities, "Star Trek VI," "Big Trouble in Little China," "Mannequin" and "Tiger's Tail."
In a press statement, Cattrall commented, "I am thrilled to be coming home to Liverpool and making my debut at the Playhouse. I went to see many shows there as a young girl with my aunt. This homecoming means a tremendous amount to me and my family."
Kissoon has worked extensively for the RSC, National Theatre, Barbican, Shared Experience and Theatre Complicité. He has recently finished playing the lead role in Mark Norfolk's film, "Ham and the Piper," and is currently directing Naked Soldiers for Ka Zimba Theatre at Warehouse Theatre, Croydon. He previously played Antony in Antony and Cleopatra at the Liverpool Everyman in 1990.
In a press statement, he commented, "It will be such a great pleasure to return to Liverpool. I have performed there many times and I can't wait to come back. I am especially looking forward to working with Janet Suzman again. She’s an inspiring director and of course, she knows this play very well. The prospect of playing opposite the wonderful Kim Cattrall is immensely exciting." Director Suzman trained at LAMDA before becoming a member of the RSC playing many of the Shakespearean heroines, including Cleopatra in 1973. For her first film role in "Nicholas and Alexandra," she was nominated for the Best Actress Academy Award. More recently Suzman has directed work both here and in her native South Africa including Othello (which was televised for Channel 4), The Snow Palace, The Free State (a modern adaptation of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard) and Death of a Salesman.
The production will be designed by Peter McKintosh, with lighting by Paul Pyant.
Priority booking for Everyman and Playhouse Theatre First Members is open now. Public and online booking opens May 17. To book tickets, contact the box office on 0151 709 4776, or visit www.everymanplayhouse.com.
