An Evening with Lucian Freud explained

An Evening with Lucian Freud
Place:Leicester Square Theatre
Genre:Drama

An Evening with Lucian Freud is a 2015 play written by Laura-Jane Foley.[1] It is a one-woman show with video cameos based on a real life encounter the playwright had with the artist Lucian Freud. The play made its world premiere on 19 May 2015 at the West End's Leicester Square Theatre where it ran until 6 June 2015.[2]

Synopsis

The play is based on a real life encounter the playwright Laura-Jane Foley had with the artist Lucian Freud.[3] In the 65-minute one-act play with video cameos, the character Laura recounts the evening she spent with the 82-year-old artist. The narrative is broken up with five video cameos from characters including Dora Maar and Leigh Bowery.[4]

Original West End production

Casting for the play took place in April 2015,[5] and was formally announced on Twitter on 22 April.[6] [7] Cressida Bonas was cast as Laura. The play also featured video cameo appearances from Maureen Lipman,[8] Alastair Stewart, Laura-Jane Foley, Russell Grant, Shana Swash and Benjamin Ramm.[9] The play was produced by Wonderful Artful Theatre and was directed by Ella Marchment and designed by Lily German.[10] The Evening Standard announced that filming for the video cameos took place on 11 May.[11] The play ran at the Leicester Square Theatre. The opening night was 19 May and the play ended on 6 June.[12]

Press attention

Prior to Press Night there had been a lot of press interest due to the casting of Cressida Bonas in her first major theatrical role.[13] Details of the play were not released prior to the opening and due to the libidinous reputation of the eponymous Lucian Freud, there was much speculation in the press about the nature of the production.[14] The Evening Standard wrongly stated that the play "features explicit sex scenes".[15] The play and Bonas's portrayal of the playwright were widely termed 'fascinating' and 'charming'.[16] [17] [18] [19] Jane Shilling in The Daily Telegraph praised the "charm and energy of Bonas’s performance'.[20]

Principal roles and original cast

CharacterOriginal West End performer
LauraCressida Bonas
Dora MaarMaureen Lipman
Leigh BoweryRussell Grant
Model 1Laura-Jane Foley
Model 2Shana Swash
Presenter
Lucian FreudBenjamin Ramm

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Harry's ex to star in Lucian Freud play - The Sunday Times. https://web.archive.org/web/20150528015411/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/article1551925.ece. dead. 28 May 2015. thesundaytimes.co.uk.
  2. Web site: Wonderful Artful Theatre Company.
  3. Web site: Playdead Press: Our Publications. playdeadpress.com.
  4. Web site: West End Wilma – An Evening with Lucian Freud – Leicester Square Theatre Lounge. westendwilma.com. 22 May 2015 .
  5. 589531022359924737. WonderfulArtful. We are very excited; casting is in place for 'An Evening with Lucian Freud' and an announcement will be made this week! #LucianFreudPlay. 18 April 2015. 23 July 2015.
  6. 590801952474324992. WonderfulArtful. CASTING REVEALED - 'An Evening with Lucian Freud' opens 19th May @lsqtheatre Book now! 0207 734 2222 #LucianFreudPlay. 22 April 2015. 23 July 2015. Shana Swash.
  7. Web site: Cressida Bonas stars in one-woman play about Lucian Freud. Editorial Staff. 22 April 2015. WhatsOnStage.com.
  8. Web site: A Precarious Profession - Standpoint. standpointmag.co.uk.
  9. Web site: An Evening With Lucian Freud - May 21, 2015 - Leicester Square Theatre, London - Listings - The Stage. thestage.co.uk.
  10. Web site: Lucian Freud: The Artist Examined in New Play. Artlyst. Artlyst London.
  11. Web site: Londoner's Diary: Liz Kendall would be a breath of fresh air for Labour. Evening Standard. 11 May 2015 .
  12. Web site: An Evening with Lucian Freud, Leicester Square - Culture Whisper. Culture Whisper.
  13. Web site: An Evening With Lucian Freud Pictures. gettyimages.co.uk.
  14. Web site: Cressida Bonas Will Appear Naked Onstage With 'Sexual Abandon' In New One-Woman Play; Will Prince Harry Sit Front Row?. Fashion & Style. 22 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150723042934/http://www.fashionnstyle.com/articles/61519/20150518/cressida-bonas-naked-onstage-sexual-abandon-new-one-woman-play-prince-harry-front-row.htm. 23 July 2015. dead.
  15. Web site: Cressida Bonas's family turn out to support her on first night of Lucian Freud play. Evening Standard. 20 May 2015 .
  16. Web site: An Evening With Lucian Freud. Eva Draper-Oatley. Platform505. 22 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150723050638/http://www.platform505.com/an-evening-with-lucian-freud/. 23 July 2015. dead.
  17. Web site: Review: An Evening with Lucian Freud, Leicester Square Theatre. Tal Fox. A Younger Theatre. 22 May 2015 .
  18. Web site: An Evening with Lucian Freud, Leicester Square Theatre – Review. Lily Middleton. 25 May 2015. everything-theatre.co.uk.
  19. Web site: AN EVENING WITH LUCIAN FREUD REVIEW. Family Affairs and other matters. 22 May 2015 .
  20. Web site: An Evening with Lucian Freud, Leicester Square Theatre, review: ' - Telegraph. Jane Shilling. 19 May 2015. Telegraph.co.uk.

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