Steve Coogan stars in the first ever adaption of Stanley Kubrick’s iconic Dr. Strangelove, as the world premiere stage production prepares for a strictly limited run at London’s Noël Coward Theatre from 8 October 2024.
This jet-black comedy masterpiece, about a rogue U.S. General who triggers a nuclear crisis, is brought to the stage by acclaimed, BAFTA and Emmy Award winner Armando Iannucci and Olivier Award winner Sean Foley, in an explosively funny satire of mutually assured destruction.
Coogan, who will play multiple roles in the production, said: “The idea of putting Dr Strangelove on stage is daunting. A huge responsibility. It’s also an exciting challenge, an opportunity to bring this timeless classic to a new audience. Knowing that I will be part of a creative team led by Sean Foley and Armando Iannucci means I will be working with the best people. Sean is a master of stage comedy and Armando and I started working with each other over 30 years ago. We made some memorable comedy together so it’s great to be collaborating with him once again.”
__Assisted Performances__
Audio Described Performance - Thursday 21st November 7.30pm
Captioned Performance - Thursday 28th November 7.30pm
BSL Signed Performance - Thurday 5th December 7.30pm
In an ash blonde wig and scooting around in a wheelchair, Coogan’s Strangelove is faithful to the Wernher von Braun-like character without replicating Sellers’ performance. As the bewildered British officer Captain Mandrake he is vocally a dead ringer for King Charles III which adds to the fun. The dialogue is largely unchanged and we have the pleasure of hearing “Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the War Room!” among other classic lines.
But just as how the movie stood as a testament to Sellers’ talent, this new play is an absolute shrine to Coogan’s. There is barely a moment where he isn’t on stage in one or other of his characters. The switch-arounds were handled masterfully, using body doubles to keep the president in the war room setting even as Coogan switched into Dr Strangelove and using pre-recorded clips to allow his various characters to be in conversation.
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