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Keep TV stars off West End stage says Miller (just as Dr Who arrives)
Louise Jury, Chief Arts Correspondent09.06.08
As the Time Lord, he dispatched the Daleks with relative ease.
But now David Tennant - who is set to play Hamlet in the West End - faces a more formidable opponent in the shape of Sir Jonathan Miller.
The eminent director dismissed the Scot as "that man from Doctor Who" as he hit out at the West End's "obsession with celebrity".
His attack came after the Royal Shakespeare Company announced that Tennant's much-anticipated appearance as the Dane will come to London after a sell-out run in Stratford-upon-Avon this summer.
The Gregory Doran-directed version of Shakespeare's play will also feature former Star Trek and X-Men star, Patrick Stewart.
But Sir Jonathan, 73, has criticised producers for turning down celebrated productions with unknown actors because they lack a star from television or film.
He complained that two of his highly acclaimed productions, Hamlet in Bristol and The Cherry Orchard in Sheffield, had recently received the brush-off by London producers because his cast included no famous names.
Tennant is not the only star to return to the stage for a Shakespeare role. Jude Law is set to play Hamlet at the Donmar West End next spring.
Tennant - a firm favourite with viewers as the latest Time Lord - will take to the West End stage in the Royal Shakespeare Company production in December, with his run continuing until January next year.
It is not the first time the television star has trod the boards in a Shakespeare play.
Before becoming a household name, he frequently starred in Royal Shakespeare Company productions taking roles such as Touchstone in As You Like It and Antipholus of Syracuse in The Comedy of Errors.
His Hamlet is set to transfer to the Novello Theatre after the Stratford run ends in November.
Tennant, 37, has previously described the role as one of the most exciting of his career.
Also transferring from Stratford to London will be A Midsummer Night's Dream, also directed by Doran, and The Taming of the Shrew which will run until March next year.
Alongside the traditional plays, two new RSC works from award-winning playwrights are set for their world premieres in London in November.
The Tragedy of Thomas Hobbes, by Adriano Shaplin, and The Cordelia Dream, by Marina Carr, both mark a new turn for the company.
Shaplin's play was completed during his time as writer in residence at the RSC and explores the clash between art and science. The Cordelia Dream draws on the themes portrayed in King Lear and features a musician and his female rival attempting to outdo each other in the pursuit of art.
They will be performed at the 19th-century Wilton's Music Hall, known in its heyday as the "handsomest room in town".
RSC artistic director Michael Boyd said he was excited by the selection of productions on offer.
He said: "The RSC wants to connect contemporary people with Shakespeare and engage with the world as we know it, mining Shakespeare for inspiration but also drawing from contemporary writers to re-examine his work.
"That's why I'm particularly pleased that we can present two new works alongside the Shakespeare repertoire."
Of the Shakespeare productions, he said: "David Tennant, Patrick Stewart and Penny Downie are coming back to the company, bringing new experience and perspectives to work with Greg on Hamlet and Conall Morrison's terrifying reading of Shrew explores the deep seams of fear and anger which can be at the heart of sexual relationships in a riotously playful production."
Vikki Heywood, the RSC's executive director, said: "It's great to be returning to London with the three Shakespeare plays direct from The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford, and to be taking the new work to the beautiful and evocative space of Wilton's Music Hall."
Reader views (3)
I respect Jonathan Miller and I understand his point but it is certainly unfair to David Tennant and Jude Law. I have seen David Tennant twice - as a lead - in two plays -one comedy where the actors are meant to be in the dark ( very good timing he had)and the most memorable being 'lobby hero' at the Donmar and he was brilliant, just perfect. I adored him in it. I have never watched doctor Who with or without him. As for Jude Law, he is also a British Thespian and it is known that he supports the Young vic. These guys love and respect the theatre -unlike Hugh Grant for ex - so let them bring people (incl young people) to the theatre if they can. If that's what it takes. Any which way they can. By the way I am French.
- Sandrina, london
Iit is very sad that the west end won't take in transfers from the regional reps because there aren't any star names in the cast, but that is the problem with the producers and not the celebrity actors. However, what is the root of the problem is that plays and musicals need a lengthy run to break even and star names mean that producers have a higher chance of breaking even early if there is a name to attract the audience, but stars will not necessarily be available for long runs. David Tennant has done the opposite to most other stars and by joining the rsc has made himself unavailable to film the next series of Dr Who. he should be applauded by Jonathan Miller, not lambasted. David has a good history of stage work to his name including an Olivier nomination for work at the Donmar warehouse.
- Robert Gill, London
No celebrities in plays? Hmmm, so, no Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Judi Dench, Juliet Stevenson, Ralph Fiennes, Kenneth Branagh, Patrick Stewart, Joseph Fiennes or Emily Watson, odd, as each of these could be considered celebrities and every one of them started their career at, and still perform for the RSC. Is he seriously saying once a certain celebrity status is achieved one should be banned from appearing in plays? What an utter buffoon.
- Ed Fox, London
