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Starring role for Diana Rigg
22.06.07Dame Diana Rigg is to star in the stage version of the Pedro Almodovar film All About My Mother. Lesley Manville has also been cast in the play, which has its world premiere later this year at London's Old Vic theatre.
The Avengers legend Rigg, 68, will play Huma Rojo, a famous actress, in the production. Manville, 51, famous for her roles in Mike Leigh films such as Secrets And Lies and Topsy-Turvy, stars as Manuela, who embarks on a life-changing trip to Barcelona following the tragic death of her son.
Joanne Froggatt has the role of Sister Rosa, a young nun in search of love, who was played by Penelope Cruz in the film.
Froggatt, 27, came to prominence as Zoe Tattersall in Coronation Street and has since starred as Joanne Lees in TV dramas Murder In The Outback and Myra Hindley's sister in See No Evil: The Moors Murders.
This is the first time Almodovar has agreed to his work being produced in English for the theatre. The Spanish director said of Rigg, also famous for playing Tracy in the Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service: "I have been a fan of Diana's for all these years and I am thrilled that she is playing Huma."
Colin Morgan, currently making his West End debut in the lead role of Vernon God Little at The Young Vic, will feature as Manuela's son, Esteban, and Charlotte Randle, who appeared in the West End production of Don Carlos, will play Nina.
Old Vic artistic director and American Beauty star Kevin Spacey said: "I'm thrilled about the casting to date. The Old Vic celebrates exceptional acting talent and all five of these actors bring unique qualities that we believe will bring this amazing story to life for our audience."
"I've always been a huge admirer of Lesley Manville's work and her remarkable ability to access truth and humanity in the roles she plays.
"Her extensive experience of working on new writing with Mike Leigh, at the Royal Court and elsewhere, makes her a wonderful asset to this
production."
"I couldn't be more pleased that Diana Rigg, one of the UK's best-loved actresses, will be playing the role of Huma. Diana's played an extraordinary range of roles in a distinguished career and I can't wait to see her on The Old Vic stage."
All About My Mother (1999) won an Oscar, Bafta and Golden Globe for best foreign language film and the Palme d'Or for best director at the Cannes Film Festival. Performances begin on August 25.
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