West End Production of Harold Pinter's Old Times, with Kristin Scott Thomas, Rufus Sewell, Will Begin in January | Playbill

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News West End Production of Harold Pinter's Old Times, with Kristin Scott Thomas, Rufus Sewell, Will Begin in January The first Harold Pinter play to be performed at the Harold Pinter Theatre since the former Comedy Theatre was renamed in the playwright's honor will be Old Times, beginning performances Jan. 12, 2013, prior to an official opening Jan. 31, for a run through April 6.

As previously announced, it will star Kristin Scott Thomas, Rufus Sewell and Lia Williams, under the direction of Ian Rickson. In a press statement, Pinter's widow, Lady Antonia Fraser, commented, "With this production in this theatre, it's a dream come true."

The production will be designed by Hildegard Bechtler, with lighting by Peter Mumford and sound by Paul Groothuis and produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, presenting their fifth Pinter play in recent years, following earlier productions of Celebration, The Dumb Waiter, No Man's Land and Betrayal.

In the play, Kate, Deeley and Anna – locked away in a secluded farmhouse -- reminisce about their early days together in London but, with conflicting memories and underlying sexual tensions, the past suddenly feels vividly present.

Thomas and Williams will alternate the roles of Kate and Anna, with Sewell playing Deeley.

Thomas was last seen on the London stage in Rickson's productions of Betrayal and The Seagull (subsequently reprising the latter on Broadway). Other theatre credits include As You Desire Me and Three Sisters (both at the Playhouse Theatre). Her extensive film credits include "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen," "Bel Ami," "The Horse Whisperer," "The English Patient," "Gosford Park" and "Four Weddings and a Funeral." She is currently filming "Only God Forgives" opposite Ryan Gosling and "Invisible Woman" opposite Ralph Fiennes, due for release next year. Sewell was seen as Jan in Stoppard's Rock 'n' Roll, for which he won the Evening Standard, London Critics' Circle and Olivier Awards for Best Actor when it played in the West End, followed by Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations for Best Actor when the play transferred to Broadway. Other theatre credits include Arcadia and Luther (both National Theatre), Macbeth (Queen's Theatre) and Translations (Broadway).

Williams has previously appeared in Pinter's The Homecoming (West End), The Room/Celebration (Almeida and New York), The Lover/The Collection (Donmar Warehouse) and The Hothouse (National Theatre, directed by Rickson). Pinter himself directed her in the original London production of David Mamet's Oleanna (Royal Court and West End). Other theatre credits include Tom Stoppard's Arcadia (Broadway), David Hare's Skylight (National Theatre and Broadway) and Ayckbourn's The Revengers' Comedies and Absurd Person Singular (both West End).

Rickson was artistic director at the Royal Court from 1998 to 2006, during which time he directed Harold Pinter in Samuel Beckett's Krapp's Last Tape. Other Royal Court credits include The Weir (also West End and Broadway), Mojo (also Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre), and Jerusalem (Royal Court, West End and Broadway). Other recent credits include Pinter's Betrayal (West End) and The Houthouse (National Theatre), as well as The Children's Hour (West End), Hedda Gabler (New York) and Parlour Song (Almeida).

To book tickets, contact the box office on 0844 871 7622 or visit www.oldtimestheplay.com for more details.

 
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