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Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
It has just been announced that On the Ceiling
will close three months ahead of schedule, on October 1, 2005.
Previously Posted: It has now been confirmed
that On the Ceiling will open at the Garrick
Theatre on September 12, 2005, with previews from August 30. The
initial booking period runs to December 31, 2005.
Previously Posted: Although a London venue has
yet to be announced, actor Nigel Planer's comedy, his first as
a playwright and entitled On the Ceiling, will
be the latest in an increasing number of Birmingham Rep transfers
to the West End.
And On the Ceiling takes an entirely new look at the
painting of the Sistine Chapel - one that will surely have Michelangelo
turning in his grave.
Set in 1508, the man the Pope has entrusted with this vast undertaking,
is simply not up to the job - even when he remembers to turn up
for work.
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So, who has to cover for him, put
in all the hours, teach him his craft, patch up his mistakes,
deal with his tantrums and still get the job done? The little
guys forgotten by history, of course, and played here by Ron Cook
and Ralf Little (pictured).
Cook's recent credits include Howard Katz (on stage),
The Merchant of Venice, Chocolat and Charlotte Gray;
while Little has appeared in Billy Liar (on stage)
and The Royle Family and Two Pints of Lager and a
Packet of Crisps for TV.
Planer will always be remembered for his roles in TV's The
Young Ones and The Comic Strip Presents, both back
in the 1980s.
More recently though, he's appeared on stage in the musicals
Chicago and We Will Rock You, as well as plays
such as Feelgood and Darwin in Malibu.
He was also a co-founder of London's Comedy Store and Comic Strip
Clubs and has written several books, including I, An actor,
a spoof memoir of fictitious luvvie actor, Nicholas Craig,
a character he later portrayed in a one-man show of the same name.
And, with his brother Roger, Planer has written and voiced over
more than a hundred episodes of The Magic Rounderbout.
On the Ceiling will be directed by Jennie Darnell and
can be seen at Birmingham Rep from May 14 - 28, 2005, prior to
its London transfer.
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