Closex
La Bête
David Hyde Pierce, Mark Rylance and Joanna Lumley star in David Hirson's comedy about a dramatist, a street clown and a picky princess.
Operated by The Society of London Theatre
La Bête
Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton Street, LondonLa Bête is a comic tour de force about Elomire (David Hyde Pierce), a high-minded classical dramatist who loves only the theatre and Valere (Mark Rylance), a low-brow street clown who loves only himself. When the fickle princess (Joanna Lumley) decides she has grown weary of Elomire’s royal theatre troupe, he and Valere are left fighting for survival as art squares off with ego in a literary showdown for the ages.
Rylance, who leads the cast of La Bête, is the former Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe who has recently enjoyed a highly-acclaimed couple of years on the stage. His role in hit new play Jerusalem has seen him win a clutch of awards, he was heralded for his performance as Hamm in Beckett’s Endgame and he won a Tony Award for his performance in Boeing Boeing.
Hyde Pierce makes his West End stage debut in the comedy La Bête. The American actor is probably best known for playing Dr Niles Crane in long-running sitcom Frasier, though his Broadway stage credits include Monty Python’s Spamalot and a Tony Award-winning performance in Curtains.
La Bête’s leading lady Lumley has a host of TV credits to her name from The New Avengers’s Purdy to Absolutely Fabulous’s Patsy, and has graced stages across the country.
Following its London run, La Bête will transfer to Broadway.
For more about La Bête at the Comedy theatre read the First Night Feature.
Cast & CreativesEXPAND
cast: Mark Rylance, David Hyde Pierce, Joanna Lumley, Stephen Ouimette, Lisa Joyce, Greta Lee, Robert Lonsdale, Michael Milligan, Liza Sadovy, Sally Wingert
director: Matthew Warchus
music by: Claire van Kampen
sound: Simon Baker
lighting designer: Hugh Vanstone
designer: Mark Thompson
producer: Sonia Friedman Productions & Scott Landis, Roger Berlind, Robert Bartner and Roy Furman
Ticket Prices:
£15-£50 (Previews £5 off all prices)
About the show
- Age Suitability: General
- Genre: Play
- Sub-Genre: Play-Comedy
- Show Times: Mon-Sat 19:30, Mats Wed & Sat 14:30 (not 30 Jun, 7 Jul)
- Duration: 1h45
- opening night:
- Box Office:
0844 871 7622 - Visit the Show Website
Related Articles
NEWS
Wed 17 Feb 2010 11:22Rylance, Lumley and Hyde Pierce bring La Bête to West End
Venue InformationHIDE
Harold Pinter Theatre
Panton Street, London, United Kingdom, SW1Y 4DN
- Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus (225m)
- Nearest bus: 3, 6, 9, 12, 14, 15, 19, 22, 23, 24, 29, 38, 88, 91, 94, 139, 159, 176, 453
- Parking: Westminter City Council car park at Whitcomb Street. NCP at Denman Street.
- Air conditioned: 1
- Download an Enabled Map
Venue Access InformationEXPAND
- How to book: Tel: 0871 297 5477 Fax: 020 8544 7488
- Discounts: Discounts vary according to production. Concessions may be available (Please enquire at time of booking).
- Limited mobility: Row A and seats N1, N21, L1, L21, D1, D22 in the stalls and Boxes C & D have the most leg room.
- Access description: Level access from street to Dress circle via ramp at the entrance and level platform to seats.2 steps up to double doors opening into the foyer. All stairs are highlighted and have handrails on both sides. No steps from the foyer to the back of the Dress Circle (2 steps between rows). 24 steps down from the foyer to the Stalls, 23 steps up from the foyer to the Royal Circle (with 2 steep steps between rows) and 50 steps up to the Balcony.
- Hearing impaired: Infra-red system with 6 headsets. Headsets available from the Duty Manager. You will be asked to leave a credit card or a £10 deposit. Portable loop available in Box Office.
- Guide dogs policy: Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome at the Comedy Theatre. They can stay with you during the performances, however, you must inform the Box Office when booking your tickets and a seat on the aisle can be reserved for you. Alternatively, a member of staff will care for your dog during the performance.
- Wheelchairs: 4 wheelchair spaces in Dress Circle. 2 transfer seats in E5 and E17
- Toilets: There is no adapted toilet. It may be possible to use the toilet on the left-hand side of the auditorium, down 6 steps via a ramp and through 2 doorways, approx. 64cm wide. Women’s and men’s at Stalls, Royal Circle and Balcony. Please note, the men's toilet on the Royal Circle level is only accessible via 13 steps up from the Royal Circle Bar.
- Disabled toilets: No adapted toilet.
- Bars: 3 licensed bars. No steps from the back of the Dress Circle to the foyer bar (no seating). Drinks brought to disabled customers in the auditorium. More bars at the rear of the Stalls, at Royal Circle and at Balcony.
