HomeArts & LifestyleMark Benton stars in Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Mark Benton stars in Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

BBC TV’s Strictly Come Dancing star Mark Benton is to take on the role of Henry Hobson alongside Jodie McNee as Maggie in the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of the classic Hobson’s Choice.

Hobson’s Choice will run this summer from 12th June to 12th July and will be directed by Nadia Fall whose credits include The Doctor’s Dilemma and Home (National Theatre) and Disgraced (Bush Theatre). The set and costumes will be designed by Ben Stones whose credits include Doctor Faustus (Royal Exchange) for which he won the MEN Best Design Award 2011.

The season will also see Porgy and Bess performed, which will star Rufus Bonds Jr and Nicola Hughes. Rufus Bonds Jr is an American actor who has appeared in The Color Purple (US National Tour) and the original Broadway production of Parade for which he was nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical. Meanwhile Nicola Hughes revisits the role of Bess following her Olivier Award nominated performance in Trevor Nunn’s 2006 production at the Savoy Theatre. Her stage credits also include The Color Purple (Menier Chocolate Factory), Fosse (Prince of Wales Theatre / Olivier Award nomination), and Velma Kelly in Chicago (Adelphi Theatre).

Porgy and Bess will run from 17th July to 23rd August, directed by Timothy Sheader, with a book adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks and a musical score adapted by Diedre L. Murray. The set and costume will be designed by Katrina Lindsay whose credits include Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Broadway) for which she won the 2008 Tony, Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Award for Best Costume Design.

See www.openairtheatre.com for more details.

Greg Jameson
Greg Jameson
Book editor, with an interest in cult TV.

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