Maggie Smith Eyes Albee’s The Lady From Dubuque

By John Nathan
July 7, 2006

Maggie Smith is in talks with producer Robert Fox to revive Edward Albee's The Lady From Dubuque.

According to British newspaper The Daily Mail, Smith is hoping to take on the title role of Albee’s drama between “Harry Potter” movie commitments. It’s thought the London production will be directed by Anthony Page, though neither a venue nor dates has been confirmed.

Page directed the acclaimed New York revival of Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? starring Kathleen Turner and Tony winner Bill Irwin. After 177 performances on Broadway, that production transferred to London’s Apollo earlier this year.

With Smith in the title role, The Lady of Dubuque will be expected to beat the run of just 12 performances that followed the play’s 1980 premiere at New York’s Morosco Theatre.

In the play, the title’s Lady visits a young couple, one of whom is terminally ill.

In 1994 Page also directed double Oscar winner Smith in Albee’s Three Tall Women at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre, also produced by Robert Fox.