From Bradley Cooper to Benedict Cumberpatch, it seems like all the Hollywood "A-listers" are heading to across the pond to London's "West-End" Theater District to take their shots at performing live theater.
For Classicalites, it's not shocking that Bradley Cooper is making the move to London's Theater Royal (with the entire cast of Elephant Man), considering his immense success with Elephant Man on Broadway that includes four Tony Award nominations.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Mr. Cooper isn't the only Hollywood "hunk" to take his talents to London. Apparently, Homeland star, Damian Lewis along with the talented (but not so hunky as hefty) John Goodman will be performing David Mamet's American Buffalo at Wyndham's Theater until late June. This show marks Goodman's London theater debut, but a return for Mr. Lewis after nearly six years of film and television work.
There really is nothing like the stage. To answer the question--why would these big names opt to do live theater?--it's simple--there's nowhere to hide on stage.
And it's not just Hollywood's leading men to make the jump. After more than seventeen years, the beautiful and alluring Nicole Kidman will be returning to the London's West End to give what is sure to be a knockout performance in the upcoming Photograph 51 in Novemeber at Noël Coward Theatre. Also, the lovely Kristin Scott Thomas is mesmerizing as Queen Elizabeth II in The Audience (a role that Helen Mirren has taken to Broadway and is subsequently nominated for a Tony) at the regal Apollo Theater.
Kristin Scott Thomas isn't the only actor to perform as royalty, according to londontheater.com, Benedict Cumberpatch will be taking on the role the Danish king in Hamlet. I know Classicalites are itching to see that one considering how hot Cumberpatch has been as of late.
It's not surprising that these Hollywood "A-listers" are making their way to the stage. After all, it is quite a feat to get the audience to completely suspend its disablief for a few hours in order to convince us that what they're emoting is real.
