Frayn’s Democracy to Close October 9

By James Inverne
20 Jul 2004

After a West End run of just under six months, following its initial showing at the National, Michael Frayn’sDemocracy will close in London Oct 9.

It has been an unexpected hit for the writer. Frayn quipped when receiving the Critics Circle Award (it also bagged the Evening Standard award) for best play that he was always surprised when he’d tell the synopsis to friends if they were still awake when he’d finished.

But Frayn has spread his own brand of Democracy internationally. A Berlin production opened at the Renaissance Theatre May 6, the 30th anniversary of Willy Brandt’s resignation. A Broadway production is due to open at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre Nov. 18, with previews beginning Nov. 2.

The Wyndhams production features most of the NT’s original cast. Roger Allam plays West German Chancellor Brandt, with Conleth Hill as Stasi agent Gunter Guillaume. New cast members are Simon Chandler and Michael Simkins. The rest of the returning company are Nicholas Blane, Paul Broughton, Christopher Ettridge, Paul Gregory, Glyn Grain and David Ryall. Michael Blakemore directs (his eighth collaboration with Frayn), with set designs by Peter J. Davison, costumes by Sue Willmington, lighting by Mark Henderson and sound by Neil Alexander.

For more information on the production at the Wyndhams, call (0)870 060 6633.