Lulu
Running Time : 140 minutes
Cast
| Lulu | Anna Friel |
| Dr Franz Schoning | Alan Howard |
| Eduard Schwarz | James Hillier |
| Chief Medical Officer Dr. Gol | Roger Swaine |
| Alwa Schoning | Oliver Milburn |
| Schigolch | Tom Georgeson |
| Henriette | Imogen Slaughter |
| Dr. Bernstein | Leon Lissek |
| Martha, Countess of Geschwitz | Johanna ter Steege |
| Rodrigo Quast | Andrew Ufondu |
| Ferdinand | Jason Pitt |
| Puntschu | Leon Lissek |
| Madeleine de Marelle | Marella Oppenheim |
| Kadega | Anna Maguire, Francesca Murray-Fuentes |
| The Marquis Casti-Piani | James Faulkner |
| Bianetta Gazil | Samia Akudo |
| Ludmila Steinherz | Imogen Slaughter |
| Bob, Lulu's groom | Sid Mitchell |
| The Chief of Police | Jason Pitt |
| Mr Hopkins | Roger Swaine |
| Jack | Peter Sullivan |
Crew
| Director | Jonathan Kent |
| Designer | Rob Howell |
| Lighting Designer | Mark Henderson |
| Sound | John A. Leonard |
| Music | Jonathan Dove |
| Casting | Joyce Nettles |
| Assistant Director | David Salter |
| Company Manager | Rupert Carlile |
| Production Manager | Steve Rebbeck |
| Stage Manager | Lisa Buckley |
| Deputy Stage Manager | Alex Sims |
| Assistant Stage Managers | Kathy Anders, Tracey Clarke |
| Costume Supervisor | Irene Bohan |
| Producer | Almeida Theatre / Kennedy Center |
| Original Author | Frank Wedekind |
| Adapted for the stage by | Nicholas Wright |
| Translation | Wes Williams |
Story
Address: The Almeida @ KingsCross, Coach Station, Omega Place,
off Caledonian Rd, King's Cross , London, N1 9DR. Tube: King's Cross Telephone:
020 7359 4404
Show Times: Performances from 8 March - 12 May 2001, @
7.30pm. Saturday Matinees @ 3pm
Synopsis: The decline and fall of a young woman
possessed of a fatal combination of overpowering sexuality and innocence, as she passes
through Berlin and Parisian high society to the streets of London - destroying and
ultimately destroyed by her lovers.
This new version of 'The Lulu Plays' is being presented as 'Lulu', a single play. Conceived as a single 'monster tragedy' Lulu was originally written as two separate plays ' Earth Spirit' (1893) and 'Pandora's Box' (1894). It was written by Frank Wedekind (1864-1918), a radical German dramatist who began his career as a circus performer. After becoming an actor and singer he wrote his first major play, Spring Awakening, in 1891.
Nicholas Wright's new version of Wedekin's The Lulu Plays has been commissioned
by the Almeida for Jonathan Kent's production and is presented in association with The
Kennedy Centre, Washington, where it will play for a limited run later in 2001. His
versions of John Gabriel Borkman and Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of an
Author have both been presented by the Royal National Theatre. In 1998 the Almeida
staged his version of Pirandello's Naked, directed by Jonathan Kent. His latest
play, Cressida was premiered by the Almeida at the Albery earlier this year.
The production is directed by Jonathan Kent, whose numerous productions for the Almeida
include the recent Richard II and Coriolanus at the Gainsborough Studios.
The Almeida is closed for about a year for refurbishments. While this happens, the company
are taking up residence in an old coach station, converted into an auditorium, which
becomes the Almeida at Kings Cross.
Lulu in The USA
The play's run opened on 16 June 2001 at the Kennedy Center in Washington and finished on 15 July 2001. The cast had a month off between the 2 runs and rehearsed for a week at the Almeida before travelling to Washington.
Initial reports indicate that the show won very good reviews from the Washington and US media and critics , and was very well attended.
UK Shows @ The Almeida, Kings Cross
Here are the Webmaster's final 2 shows quick summary report:
"Matinee show was very good - some of cast messing about a bit (!!) - the applause was very loud and appreciative (even clapped loudly at the interval). Johanna's performance was sublime - at the hanging scene it even brought some gasps from the audience !!
The Evening final show was superb with a great performance by Anna - perhaps the best that I saw. At the end whistles and rapturous applause - the cheer for Anna was terrific. She waved to everyone and actually looked a bit sad !! They called all the cast back and took one last curtain call with Anna again waving.
After the show I stayed for the end-of-run party in the bar (nearly everyone had gone - there were a few friends and family there). All the cast came out - chatted with all of them - I noticed David Thewlis had arrived (been for ciggies eh Dave !!) - had a quick chat with him and he went off in search of Anna. They both came out and I had a chat with her and David.
Anna was as effervescent, friendly and happy as usual . The "something special" I mentioned never materialised but watch this space... it will appear here in the next couple of months....(cryptic eh ??)"
29-April-2001
On Thursday night, Anna had to stop during the performance of Lulu due to food poisoning. She was OK for Friday's performance. I attended Saturday's matinee and met with her beforehand. She appeared to be back to normal although confirmed she was finding the play demanding. She was cheerful and happy to pose for photos and sign autographs for waiting fans. (PS Hi Johanna !)
The Play
The play opened officially 19 March 2001 - first preview was 8 March 2001. The venue was the new Almeida Theatre (Kings Cross Venue) , Omega Place (off Caledonian Road).
Shows were at 7.30pm Monday to Saturday, with Matinees on Saturday at 3pm . Tickets were priced from £27.50, £22, £15, £12, £6
THE SITE WEBMASTER AT THE PLAY
I attended the 18th March 2001 and 28th April matinee performances. I also attended the final matinee and final night's performance on Saturday 12th May. I also attended the end-of-run party after the final performance