Name: The Real Thing
Start: 2024-08-22
End: 2024-10-26
Location: Old Vic

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The Real Thing - LON [41271] 

The Real Thing

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The Real Thing - LON [41271]

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‘There are no commitments, only bargains.’

Annie is an actress, Henry is a playwright, and fiction is the backdrop to life. Hardly a recipe for a faithful marriage, especially when it started as an affair.


Oliver Johnstone is starring in *The Real Thing* at The Old Vic until 26 October. 

Johnstone has starred in films like *Total Recall* and *The Inbetweeners 2*. 

He has also appeared in *Antigone*, *Henry V*, and *Cat on a Hot Tin Roof*. 

Oliver Johnstone - LON

The Old Vic is amongst London's most revered theatre venues, situated in the heart of the bustling city. Founded in 1818, this prestigious establishment continues to attract audiences with its dynamic array of world-renowned plays, ballets, operas and pantomimes. With a seating capacity of over 1,000, the richly decorated auditorium offers an immersive and intimate experience for all spectators. The Old Vic's enchanting neoclassical exterior and swirling marble foyers take you back in time, while its state-of-the-art sound and lighting system provide a modern and truly spectacular performance environment. Its stellar shows often star internationally acclaimed actors and directors. Over its 200-year legacy, the venue has been the home for breakthrough performances and debuts of some of the greatest plays in theatre history. 

**How to get to the Old Vic Theatre:** The Old Vic is conveniently located near multiple transport links. The nearest underground station is Waterloo, served by the Northern, Bakerloo, Jubilee, and Waterloo & City lines. The theatre is only a short 4-minute walk away. Bus routes 1, 68, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188 serve the area around the theatre. If you are driving, the nearest car park is the Waterloo Car Park located on York Road.

The Old Vic - LON

Old Vic

The Old Vic is a historic theatre in London known for world-class performances. It's conveniently accessible via Waterloo station and local bus routes.

Oliver Johnstone in Henry V in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare s Globe (photographer - Johan Persson) 1

Bel Powley is starring in *The Real Thing* at The Old Vic until 26 October. 

Powley is known for her roles in AppleTV+'s *the Morning Show* and the film *The Diary of a Teenage Girl*. 

She has appeared previously on the stage in *Tusk Tusk* at the Royal Court Theatre in 2009, *Arcadia* a the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, and *Lobby Hero* at the Haynes Theatre. 

Bel Powley - LON

Bel Powley Headshot a

Susan Wokoma is starring in *The Real Thing* at The Old Vic until 26 October. 

Wokoma is known for her roles in *Enola Holmes* and TV's *Chewing Gum*.

She played Bottom in Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's production of *A Midsummer Night's Dream*. 

Susan Wokoma - LON

susan wokoma 1200 LT

James McArdle is starring in *The Real Thing* at The Old Vic until 26 October. 

McArdle is known for his roles in TV's *Mare of Easttown* and Disney+'s *Andor*. 

He has previously appeared in the West End in The Globe's 2010 production of *Macbeth*, and *Emperor and Galilean*, as well as *Angels in America*. He returned to the Scottish play in the title role with Saoirse Ronan in Almeida Theatre's *The Tragedy of Macbeth*. 

James McArdle - LON

The Tragedy of Macbeth - LON [23995]

The Tragedy of Macbeth

Before the Wyrd sisters utter a word, we know something sinister is afoot. A dark stage features a wheelchair, an oxygen tank, a water spigot, and a wheelbarrow of black boots with a ghostlight illuminating the scene. As the still-life awakens, we're greeted with a tableau of a war-torn country, complete with soldiers and the title Scot picking up his rifle. Something wicked this way comes indeed.&nbsp;Director Yaël Farber's pulsating and achingly current take on Shakespeare's tragedy makes the familiar tale of the conflicted, power-grabbing thane feel eerily&nbsp;fresh. Each scene presents a complex stage portrait, and Soutra Gilmour's set design uses every surface, from a soaked stage to a reflective panel to create stunning dimension, with the help of Tim Lutkin's moody lighting.The production has made buzzy headlines for its starry leads Saoirse Ronan and James McArdle, both excellent, but while the stripped-back poster photography conveys a raw sexuality, the chemistry on display here, in love and in war, is much more electric and feral.&nbsp;Ronan's Lady Macbeth is the clear, conniving puppet master to the plot, and her seeming ingenue innocence belies the strings she's able to pull to all the greater effect. Ronan almost slithers around the stage, courting her prey, and it's only when the attack is too great that her Lady Macbeth descends into madness. Ronan's delivery makes you lean in and listen, lending her all the more control of the action. She doesn't need to shout to make her Lady Macbeth powerful; all she needs is you to watch her, which you can't help doing.&nbsp;Meanwhile McArdle's Macbeth is one of the most troubled I've seen, as he starts as a jovial, cheerful lad and spirals into lunacy and child-like fear at the effect of his actions. McArdle has found something sympathetic in what some might consider a tyrant of a character, and even though we know what the inevitable end must be, there's something that feels just as tragic in Macbeth's death as in all the others. He's typically the ultimate antihero, but here, he's a little bit of a lost boy, something the final moment drives home.&nbsp;The large supporting cast are all top notch, with several standout performances. Akiya Henry is heartbreaking and haunting as Lady Macduff, and I don't think I'll ever forget the horror of her final scene. That disturbing display is only matched by the pure emotional outcry from Emun Elliott as Macduff in response. A cathartic and captivating performance.&nbsp;The Wyrd Sisters, here, are Diane Fletcher, Maureen Hibbert, and Valerie Lilley, seen as buttoned-up types in Joanna Scotcher's modern costumes. The trio moves in synchronicity and every bit as matter-of-fact as their fashions, knowing the deed is done before the action even starts.&nbsp;Fair is foul, and foul is fair, and just as in Macbeth, it can be hard to distinguish between the two sometimes. Farber's production shows a divided world, and how easy it can be to go insane among conflicted opinions and power-hungry leaders. This Macbeth is a cautionary tale, one that does not tread lightly.&nbsp;<a href="/show/the-tragedy-of-macbeth">The Tragedy of Macbeth is at the Almeida Theatre to 27 November.&nbsp;</a>Photo credit: Saoirse Ronan and James McArdle (Photo by Marc Brenner)

'The Tragedy of Macbeth' review - Saoirse Ronan stuns in Yaël Farber’s raw Almeida Theatre production

James McArdle

The Old Vic LON

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The Old Vic, originally named the Royal Coburg Theatre, was designed in 1818 by Rudolph Cabanel. Its name was later changed to the Royal Victoria Theatre, then the Royal Victoria Hall, before it took on its nickname of 'The Old Vic' as its official name in 1925. 

The Old Vic has housed acclaimed performances with such celebrated actors as John Gielgud’s *Hamlet*, Laurence Olivier’s *Macbeth* and *Othello* in 1937, and Judi Dench’s Juliet in *Romeo and Juliet*, which was privately performed for The Queen in 1957.

In 1963, the Old Vic became the home base of the [National Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/national-theatre) of Great Britain during its formation under Laurence Olivier. The theatre continued to host the National Theatre until the move to South Bank in 1976. 

There are two entrances to the Old Vic: one on The Cut and the other on Waterloo Road, which is an accessible entrance. In 2019, 'Penny', an accessible basement cafe and bar was opened, offering drinks, sandwiches and snacks. 

## Old Vic Seating Information

The auditorium has three levels - Stalls, Dress Circle, and the Lilian Baylis Circle.

Despite the Dress Circle overhang, this doesn’t affect the view due to pillars. There is also a staggered rake that will be noticeable from row J to allow better viewing.

The Lilian Baylis Circle is high above the ground and overhangs the Dress Circle at row C meaning row E will miss the top of the stage. There are also standing seats available at the sides of this circle.

Old Vic - London Theatre

Originally named Royal Coburg Theatre, The Old Vic was founded in 1818. It's been home to acclaimed performances and was the base of the National Theatre of Great Britain from 1963 to 1976.

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The Real Thing Tickets

About The Real Thing

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Oliver Johnstone

Bel Powley

Susan Wokoma

James McArdle

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Old Vic

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