Till now everyone has seen those incredible clips of Benedict Cumberbatch owning the stage in theaters. Well, what many don’t realize is that there was a moment when he almost said no to playing Doctor Strange. Why? Because he was getting ready to take on the iconic Shakespearean tragedy ‘Hamlet’, the same play that’s now making waves all over the internet.
Benedict Cumberbatch | Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
It was quite the dilemma for him, caught between the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and his deep love for the stage. Yet, as they often say, the show had to go on. Ultimately, his dedication to his craft won, and the rest is history.
Why Benedict Cumberbatch Initially Turned Down Doctor Strange?
Benedict Cumberbatch still to this day continues to mesmerize audiences with his unforgettable performance in Hamlet. Whether it’s through reels or YouTube shorts, there are countless reminders of his undeniable talent.
Benedict Cumberbatch | Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
It was quite the dilemma for him, caught between the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and his deep love for the stage. Yet, as they often say, the show had to go on. Ultimately, his dedication to his craft won, and the rest is history.
Why Benedict Cumberbatch Initially Turned Down Doctor Strange?
Benedict Cumberbatch still to this day continues to mesmerize audiences with his unforgettable performance in Hamlet. Whether it’s through reels or YouTube shorts, there are countless reminders of his undeniable talent.
- 5/1/2024
- by Sampurna Banerjee
- FandomWire
Exclusive: Starring an electrifying Nicole Scherzinger, Sunset Boulevard ends its limited run at London’s Savoy Theatre on January 6. However, Deadline can reveal in its 2024 West End look ahead that the singer will lead the Andrew Lloyd Webber show to Broadway in November, according to insiders connected with the production.
Scherzinger, who won the Evening Standard’s best musical performance prize for her show-stopping turn as Norma Desmond, has indicated to producers that she will commit to a six-month season in New York, we understand. The Es also recently named the show’s helmer Jamie Lloyd as Best Director [Disclosure: this writer is a member of the Es judging panel].
Nicole Scherzinger in ‘Sunset Boulevard’
Meanwhile, another Es winner, Jack Thorne’s glorious drama The Motive and the Cue, staged by Sam Mendes, has transferred from London’s National Theatre to the Noël Coward, and we can also reveal The Motive and the Cue is in the early stages of discussions for a run in NYC.
Scherzinger, who won the Evening Standard’s best musical performance prize for her show-stopping turn as Norma Desmond, has indicated to producers that she will commit to a six-month season in New York, we understand. The Es also recently named the show’s helmer Jamie Lloyd as Best Director [Disclosure: this writer is a member of the Es judging panel].
Nicole Scherzinger in ‘Sunset Boulevard’
Meanwhile, another Es winner, Jack Thorne’s glorious drama The Motive and the Cue, staged by Sam Mendes, has transferred from London’s National Theatre to the Noël Coward, and we can also reveal The Motive and the Cue is in the early stages of discussions for a run in NYC.
- 12/21/2023
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s succession season at the UK’s National Theatre with Rufus Norris, the institution’s Artistic Director, announcing that he will step down in 2025 after a decade in the post.
“It’s good to keep leadership evolving,” Norris noted during a press conference at the National’s base on the south side of the River Thames, in the shadow of Waterloo Bridge.
The National’s board will determine Norris’s successor. They will cast a net far and wide and there’s an eagerness to end the white male hold on the Nt’s leadership.
Meanwhile, Norris has been getting on with the business of running the country’s flagship theatre company.
Nt Artistic Director Rufus Norris. Photo by Baz Bamigboye/Deadline.
Succession star Harriet Walter returns to the Nt to lead a new adaptation by Alice Birch of Federico Garcia Lorca’s The House of Bernardo Alba.
It...
“It’s good to keep leadership evolving,” Norris noted during a press conference at the National’s base on the south side of the River Thames, in the shadow of Waterloo Bridge.
The National’s board will determine Norris’s successor. They will cast a net far and wide and there’s an eagerness to end the white male hold on the Nt’s leadership.
Meanwhile, Norris has been getting on with the business of running the country’s flagship theatre company.
Nt Artistic Director Rufus Norris. Photo by Baz Bamigboye/Deadline.
Succession star Harriet Walter returns to the Nt to lead a new adaptation by Alice Birch of Federico Garcia Lorca’s The House of Bernardo Alba.
It...
- 6/15/2023
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: There’s some seriously scary stuff going on at London’s National Theatre as the venue prepares for a musical version of Roald Dahl’s The Witches that will feature book and lyrics by playwright Lucy Kirkwood, who’s also an executive consultant on Succession.
Music and lyrics are by Dave Malloy, who won acclaim for the book and score he wrote for Broadway show Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.
The show is a co-production between the National and the Roald Dahl Story Company.
Katherine Kingsley (The Larkins) will play the Grand High Witch, whose only objective is to eliminate all children from the planet and turn them into mice. “She’s a tyrannical narcissist, truly she’s really evil. There’s no escaping the fact that she’s a bad person,” Kingsley told us.
“It’s a great role,” she laughed. “There’s a lot of fun to be had with her,...
Music and lyrics are by Dave Malloy, who won acclaim for the book and score he wrote for Broadway show Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.
The show is a co-production between the National and the Roald Dahl Story Company.
Katherine Kingsley (The Larkins) will play the Grand High Witch, whose only objective is to eliminate all children from the planet and turn them into mice. “She’s a tyrannical narcissist, truly she’s really evil. There’s no escaping the fact that she’s a bad person,” Kingsley told us.
“It’s a great role,” she laughed. “There’s a lot of fun to be had with her,...
- 4/19/2023
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
Today he may be best known for setting up the multiverse threads of the MCU, but before (and after) taking on the role of Dr. Stephen Strange, British actor Benedict Cumberbatch put together an impressive resume of performances, ranging from the stage to television to the silver screen. After graduating from the University of Manchester's Drama program and earning a master's from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in 2000, Cumberbatch found steady work in the U.K., eventually answering Steven Spielberg's call in 2011's "War Horse."
Since then, he's been a mainstay in Hollywood, with an ardent fan base ready to fight for him online and show up to (most) of his films. Throughout his 20-plus years as a working actor, Cumberbatch has had his share of missteps, but for the most part, his movie choices have typically been sound and his performances solid, even on...
Since then, he's been a mainstay in Hollywood, with an ardent fan base ready to fight for him online and show up to (most) of his films. Throughout his 20-plus years as a working actor, Cumberbatch has had his share of missteps, but for the most part, his movie choices have typically been sound and his performances solid, even on...
- 4/8/2023
- by Rachel Ho
- Slash Film
Exclusive: House of the Dragon star Milly Alcock tells me that she will make her professional theater debut for London’s National Theatre playing the vengeful Abigail Williams in Arthur Miller’s powerful drama The Crucible.
The 22-year-old admits that she’s “mortified” at the prospect of treading the boards at the Cameron Mackintosh-owned Gielgud Theatre for a strictly limited season from June 7-September 2.
Lyndsey Turner, who directed what became referred to as the Benedict Cumberbatch Hamlet at the Barbican eight years ago, staged Miller’s revival at the National last fall with Erin Doherty — who played Princess Anne in The Crown — as Abigail.
Alcock is the first cast member booked for the West End transfer. “These were the only ones who offered me a job, you know what I mean?” she laughed.
It’s the first role she’s signed for since playing the younger Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in...
The 22-year-old admits that she’s “mortified” at the prospect of treading the boards at the Cameron Mackintosh-owned Gielgud Theatre for a strictly limited season from June 7-September 2.
Lyndsey Turner, who directed what became referred to as the Benedict Cumberbatch Hamlet at the Barbican eight years ago, staged Miller’s revival at the National last fall with Erin Doherty — who played Princess Anne in The Crown — as Abigail.
Alcock is the first cast member booked for the West End transfer. “These were the only ones who offered me a job, you know what I mean?” she laughed.
It’s the first role she’s signed for since playing the younger Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in...
- 3/17/2023
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
New York, NY — January 18, 2023 — The 92nd Street Y, New York (92Ny), one of New York’s leading cultural venues, presents Caroline Shaw, vocals & Sō Percussion: Let the Soil Play Its Simple Part, with special guests Bora Yoon and Iarla Ó Lionáird, vocals, on February 4, 2023 at 7:30pm Et at the Kaufmann Concert Hall. The concert will also be available for viewing online for 72 hours from time of broadcast. Tickets for both the in-person and livestream options start at 25 and are available at 92ny.org/event/caroline-shaw-and-so-percussion..
Composer Caroline Shaw and Sō Percussion make their only NYC appearance together this season. Their program draws from their Nonesuch recording project, Let the Soil Play Its Simple Part, with original songs and lyrics inspired by and reflecting the artists’ broad span of interests: James Joyce, a poem by Anne Carson, the Sacred Harp hymn book, American roots music, and more. The program will...
Composer Caroline Shaw and Sō Percussion make their only NYC appearance together this season. Their program draws from their Nonesuch recording project, Let the Soil Play Its Simple Part, with original songs and lyrics inspired by and reflecting the artists’ broad span of interests: James Joyce, a poem by Anne Carson, the Sacred Harp hymn book, American roots music, and more. The program will...
- 1/18/2023
- by Music Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid Music
In today’s Global Bulletin, U.K.’s National Theatre filmed plays to stream on Amazon Prime Video in the U.K. and Ireland; Mubi boards U.K., Ireland rights for Paul Verhoeven’s Cannes title “Benedetta”; Anton Corbijn directs Sergei Polunin ballet documentary “Dancer II”; Banff sets indigenous screen industry summit; Bild Studios and Lux Machina form Virtual Production partnership; and the third season of International Emmy-winning series “Bluey” will premiere globally on Disney.
Four stage productions filmed by the U.K.’s National Theatre will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in the U.K. and Ireland from June 11.
The productions include “Frankenstein,” directed by Danny Boyle and written by Nick Dear, in which joint Olivier Award winners Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternate the roles of the creature and Victor Frankenstein; “Fleabag,” written and performed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge; and “Hamlet” with Benedict Cumberbatch, directed by Lyndsey Turner.
Four stage productions filmed by the U.K.’s National Theatre will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in the U.K. and Ireland from June 11.
The productions include “Frankenstein,” directed by Danny Boyle and written by Nick Dear, in which joint Olivier Award winners Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternate the roles of the creature and Victor Frankenstein; “Fleabag,” written and performed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge; and “Hamlet” with Benedict Cumberbatch, directed by Lyndsey Turner.
- 5/25/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Amazon has partnered with the National Theatre to stream four of its highest-profile recorded stage shows in the UK and Ireland.
Launching on June 11, the shows will include Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag, which she performed at Wyndham’s Theatre in the West End, and Danny Boyle’s staging of Frankenstein, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller.
The other two performances are Hamlet with Cumberbatch, directed by Lyndsey Turner and filmed at the Barbican in 2015, and Ian McKellen On Stage, in which McKellen performs extracts from some of his most iconic performances.
Martin Backlund, head of content, UK, Ireland and Nordics, at Amazon Prime Video, said: “The cream of UK acting talent so often started their career in theatre, and we want to shine a light on the incredible heritage we have here.”
Lisa Burger, joint CEO of the National Theatre, added: “As theatre-makers continue to be impacted by the pandemic,...
Launching on June 11, the shows will include Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag, which she performed at Wyndham’s Theatre in the West End, and Danny Boyle’s staging of Frankenstein, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller.
The other two performances are Hamlet with Cumberbatch, directed by Lyndsey Turner and filmed at the Barbican in 2015, and Ian McKellen On Stage, in which McKellen performs extracts from some of his most iconic performances.
Martin Backlund, head of content, UK, Ireland and Nordics, at Amazon Prime Video, said: “The cream of UK acting talent so often started their career in theatre, and we want to shine a light on the incredible heritage we have here.”
Lisa Burger, joint CEO of the National Theatre, added: “As theatre-makers continue to be impacted by the pandemic,...
- 5/25/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
BAFTA Award winner and Academy amp Tony Award nominee Carey Mulligan will bring her critically acclaimed starring performance in Girls amp Boys, the shattering new play by Dennis Kelly and directed by Olivier Award winner Lyndsey Turner to New York for five weeks only. Carey met the press yesterday at a photo call, and BroadwayWorld was there Check out photos below...
- 6/2/2018
- by Walter McBride
- BroadwayWorld.com
Vendetta star Danny Dyer, Sherlock’s Martin Freeman and Episodes’ Tamsin Greig are set to star in a season of one-act Harold Pinter plays in London.
The season will mark the 10th anniversary of Pinter’s death with 20 plays over six months at his eponymous theater.
Dyer and Freeman will star in The Dumb Waiter, the 1957 play about two hitmen, while Tamsin Greig will star in A Kind of Alaska, inspired by Oliver Sacks’ supernatural book Awakenings.
Other actors appearing incuding Jane Horrocks, Celia Imrie, Emma Naomi, Tracy Ann Oberman, David Suchet and Abraham Popoola. Directors include Patrick Marber, Lyndsey Turner, Ed Stambollouian and Lia Williams.
London-born playwright Pinter was best known for his theater work but he also wrote 27 screenplays including adaptations of his own work such as William Friedkin-directed The Birthday Party and Kenneth Branagh-directed Sleuth.
Dyer was particularly close to Pinter, who said he was...
The season will mark the 10th anniversary of Pinter’s death with 20 plays over six months at his eponymous theater.
Dyer and Freeman will star in The Dumb Waiter, the 1957 play about two hitmen, while Tamsin Greig will star in A Kind of Alaska, inspired by Oliver Sacks’ supernatural book Awakenings.
Other actors appearing incuding Jane Horrocks, Celia Imrie, Emma Naomi, Tracy Ann Oberman, David Suchet and Abraham Popoola. Directors include Patrick Marber, Lyndsey Turner, Ed Stambollouian and Lia Williams.
London-born playwright Pinter was best known for his theater work but he also wrote 27 screenplays including adaptations of his own work such as William Friedkin-directed The Birthday Party and Kenneth Branagh-directed Sleuth.
Dyer was particularly close to Pinter, who said he was...
- 5/10/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
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