Marie Jones' Stones in His Pockets, now in a pre-Broadway run in Toronto, has extended an extra week there, where it's now running through Feb. 25. The two-man comedy, which began performances at the Winter Garden Jan. 9, is gearing up for a Broadway run beginning March 23 at the John Golden Theatre. The show's original London stars, Conleth Hill and Sean Campion, currently with the show in Canada, will continue with Stones to Broadway.
Stones in His Pockets tells of Charlie and Jack, two down-on-their luck Irishmen (played by Conleth Hill and Sean Campion) working as extras on a Hollywood film being shot in the Irish countryside. When the men find themselves dissatisfied with the American look at their culture, they begin to construct the perfect Irish film. Among the characters Hill and Campion portray are Caroline Giovanni, the spoiled and horny American female star; Mickey, the last remaining extra from "The Quiet Man"; and Clem, the hunchbacked director.
The play is inspired by Jones' own experience as an actor in films shot in Ireland, including 1993's “In the Name of the Father,” starring Daniel Day Lewis. Jones' other plays include Women on the Verge of HRT and the sequel Women on the Verge.Get a Life. Her latest play, Ruby, based on the life of Ruby Murray, will open at the Opera House Belfast in October.
Hill and Campion were both unknowns before Stones. Hill appeared in Andrew Hinds' The Starving in 1998 and on "Blue Heaven" in the UK and both performed together in Waiting for Godot in Belfast, but Stones has made both actors into stars.
Ian McElhinney will direct in the U.S. as he did in London. Also an actor, the Belfast born McElhinney played Barnardo in Kenneth Branagh's "Hamlet," did a stint with the Royal Shakespeare Company and has several roles in British TV and film. For ticket information in Toronto, call (416) 872-5555. The Winter Garden is located at 189 Yonge Street.
*
Marie Jones' London hit, Stones in His Pockets arrives at the John Golden Theatre March 23, 2001. Opening night is set for April 1.
Interestingly, the Broadway run won't be the American premiere for the play. Stones finished off the Magic Theatre in San Francisco's 1998-99 season, replacing the previously announced Quills (which is now a feature film starring Academy Award nominee Geoffrey Rush). There, the Stones leads were played by Kurt Reinhardt and Mark Phillips.
Stones in His Pockets transferred to London's Duke of York Aug. 21 for an open-ended run. For further information on the London production, contact the Duke of York's box office on 011-44-20-7369-1791.
