Sean Foley

Dr Strangelove director Sean Foley on Steve Coogan’s extraordinary performance

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By Lauren Murphy

It started with a phone call. “I thought it was a hoax,” Sean Foley says. “But in my mind’s eye I could immediately see that this could be really fun. It was one of those amazing phone calls that sometimes happen in our business, from the two producers — who basically said, ‘Do you wanna adapt and direct Dr Strangelove for the stage?’”

Foley, an experienced theatre director, writer and actor, jumped at the chance to work on the first-ever stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s classic 1964 film Dr Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. The Cold War satire, which stars Steve Coogan in multiple roles (originally played by Peter Sellers in the film), opened in London’s West End in October and will transfer to Dublin for a run at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in February.

“It’s an amazing story,” Foley says, nodding. “Kubrick himself called it a ‘nightmare comedy’, which is a great phrase, I think. So I was attracted to the material and the challenge of being able to stage something like that. It’s basically a comedy about the end of the world.”

 

Sean Foley in an empty theater.
Sean Foley jumped at the chance to work on the first-ever stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s classic
KRIS ASKEY

Foley co-adapted the script with Armando Iannucci, a man who is well versed in satirical and political fare, having created, written and directed the TV series The Thick of It and Veep, films In the Loop and The Death of Stalin, as well as co-creating (with Coogan) one of culture’s most enduring comedy characters in Alan Partridge.

“I didn’t want all the blame if it went wrong,” Foley says, laughing. “I’d known Armando for a very long time, but we’d never worked together, so I thought he’d be an absolutely perfect person to work with on the adaptation. I gave him a bell and it took him a nanosecond to say yes. It could be a poisoned chalice if you get it wrong, but I think we both felt we could bring something to it in remaking it for another medium, and in remaking it for a new audience.”

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First Look at WITHNAIL & I at Birmingham Rep

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New production photos have been released from the Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s production of Withnail & I. 

By Stephi Wild

Birmingham Rep’s brand new adaptation of Bruce Robinson’s 1987 British tragi-comedy film, Withnail and I is directed by the double Olivier Award-winning Artistic Director of Birmingham Rep, Sean Foley and designed by Alice Power.  The show is currently running at The Rep and Press Night is on 14 May at 7pm.

Robert Sheehan plays Withnail, Adonis Siddique plays Marwood and Malcolm Sinclair plays Uncle Monty.  The cast is completed by Adam Young (Danny), Israel J Fredericks (Presuming Ed), Morgan Philpott (Wanker/Jake the Poacher), Matt Devitt (Farmer/Colonel & Band), Adam Sopp (Geezer/Policeman, Band & Musical Director), Sooz Kempner (Miss Blenehassitt/Policewoman & Band).

Photos: First Look at WITHNAIL & I at Birmingham Rep

The creative team joining the writer, director and designer, Bruce Robinson, Sean Foley and Alice Power are:  Jessica Hung Han Yun (Lighting Design), Ben & Max Ringham (Sound & Composition), Akhila Krishnan (Video Design), Candida Caldicott (Music Supervision), Ginny Schiller (Casting Director), Alison de Burgh(Fight Director), Sara Joyce (Associate Director), Simon Marlow (Production Manager), Jennifer Taillefer (Production Environmental Manager), Kay Wilton (Costume Supervisor),  Robin Morgan (Props Supervisor) and Andriea Nelson (Wigs Supervisor).

Robert Sheehan made his acting debut in Aisling Walsh’s acclaimed feature Song For A Raggy Boy. Since then, his screen credits include:  Season of the Witch, Cherrybomb, Killing Bono, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, The Road Within, The Song of Sway Lake, Anita B, The Messenger, Moonwalkers, Jet Trash, Geostorm, Bad Samaritan, Three Summers, Mute, Mortal Engines, the BAFTA winning Red Riding trilogy for Channel 43, the multi-IFTA winning Love/Hate, the BAFTA winning Misfits for E4 (for which he was BAFTA nominated), The Borrowers, Fortitude, Genius: Picasso, The Last Bus, The Umbrella Academy and the upcoming film Red Sonja.   His theatre work includes The Playboy of the Western Worlddirected by John Crowley for the Old Vic, Richard III in The Wars of the Roses directed by Trevor Nunn for the Rose Theatre and Endgame directed by Danya Taymor for the Gate Theatre Dublin.

Photos: First Look at WITHNAIL & I at Birmingham Rep

Adonis Siddique’s theatre credits include: The Crown Jewels in the West End, Saleem in East Is East (a Birmingham Rep co-production with the National Theatre); Dorian Gray in The Picture Of Dorian Gray  at the Pleasance Theatre in London, Crowther in The History Boys, Jav in Mismatched, a Sky Comedy/Birmingham Rep production, Quasim in Very Special Guest Star at Soho Theatre and Kyle in Dad at SouthwarkPlayhouse. Adonis was a creative collaborator and actor in Shunt’s Party Skills For The End Of The World at The Manchester International Festival.  His film & television credits include: Newark Newark, Tin Star,  Tyrant, Beyond Reasonable Doubt for CNN and the feature film Me Myself and D.

Malcolm Sinclair is currently appearing at the National Theatre in Dear Octopus with Lindsay Duncan.  His other many theatre credits include The Inquiry at Chichester Festival Theatre,  My Fair Lady in the West End, The Light in the Piazza internationally and at the Royal Festival Hall,  An Enemy of the People at Nottingham Playhouse, This House at Chichester Festival Theatre and at the Garrick Theatre,  The Doctor’s Dilemma, The Habit of Art, The Power of Yes and House/Garden, History Boys and Racing Demon for the National Theatre,  Ivanov at the Donmar Warehouse and Richard III, Uncle Vanya and The Comedy of Errors for the Royal Shakespeare Company.  His many TV credits include  Andor in A Star Wars Story for Disney +,  Midsomer Murders, Virtuoso Silk,   Henry V,  The Hollow Crown, Foyle’s War, Hustle, Judge John Deed, A Touch of Frost and the US mini-series,  Scarlett.   His many films include: Drowning; The Man Who Knew Infinity, Survivor, A Belfast story, The Young Victoria, Casino Royale, V for Vendetta,  Keep The Aspidistra Flying, Young Poisoner’s Handbook, God On The Rocks,  Now That It’s Morning and Success Is The Best Revenge.

Written and adapted for the stage by Bruce Robinson himself, the writer and director of the original film, the show will bring to life some of the most iconic comic characters ever created. The film, based on Robinson’s own unpublished novel, was produced by Handmade Films and starred Richard E Grant, Paul McGann and Richard Griffiths.

Photos: First Look at WITHNAIL & I at Birmingham RepPhoto Credit: Manuel Harlan

Source: Photos: First Look at WITHNAIL & I at Birmingham Rep