TV comedy stars to take centre stage in new theatre season

Published on Friday 17 April 2009 09:48

TV comedy favourites Neil Morrissey and Penelope Keith are among the stars lined up for the new season at the King's Theatre.

Best known as one half of the popular 90s sitcom Men Behaving Badly, Morrissey will be taking on a very different role in a new stage adaptation of Rain Man. He will be playing an autistic savant – the role made famous by Dustin Hoffman in the 1988 film.

He will be appearing alongside The Office and Green Wing actor Oliver Chris in November's show, which has already proved a hit in London's West End.

Keith, below, who became a household name with The Good Life and To the Manor Born, is taking on a challenging role in Entertaining Angels. She will be returning to Edinburgh in October, after performing in The Importance of Being Earnest in 2007.

She plays Grace, a clergyman's wife, who discovers a new life after the death of her husband. After spending most of her life on her best behaviour, she now realises she can do and say exactly what she chooses.

John Stalker, chief executive of the Festival Theatres Trust, said that the two plays promised to be some of the highlights of the new season, with programmes and tickets available from today.

He said: "We are delighted to reveal yet another varied and exciting programme at the Festival and King's Theatres. With cutting-edge dance, spectacular musicals, much-loved dramas and some of today's leading comedians and performers we hope there is something to suit all tastes."

Comedian Michael McIntyre will be leading an all-star cast when he hosts the Comedy Gala during the Fringe in August. This is seen by many as Edinburgh's comedy event of the year.

The hottest ticket for rock 'n' roll fans is set to be next month's Quadrophenia stage show, adapted by Pete Townsend, The Who's guitarist, from the band's legendary rock opera album. The Festival Theatre will be taking a step back in time to the heady days of 1960s Britain, at the height of the Mod era.

The strong musical theatre offering also includes a 50th anniversary production of the musical West Side Story at the Festival Theatre next month. The rest of the programme includes popular classics such as the cult show Little Shop of Horrors, and an adaptation of John Steinbeck's famous novel, The Grapes of Wrath.

For younger audiences, the highlights will include Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials, and the popular Singing Kettle's new musical show, Boogie Woogie Zoo.

Panto stalwarts Allan Stewart and Grant Stott will be returning for the festive season with Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates, providing a change from the usual fairy tales.