FAMOUS for his Royal Shakespeare performances and the hit filmxa0Four Weddings and a Funeral,xa0Simon Callow takes on the role of his life in a new one-man play which examines the character of Jesus.
World famous actor Simon Callow who was in Belfast to launch the Lyric Theatre’s new season programme which includes his own one man show called The Man Jesus, on the Danske Bank stage this April. The season at the Lyric is dominated by plays about Belfast to celebrate the city’s 400th birthday. (Photo by Presseye).[/caption]
“This isn’t an attempt to dismiss any of the spiritual dimensions of his life. Instead of looking at the Jesus of Christianity, I want to try to grasp the man religion claimed as its own before legend, politics and sectarianism distorted – for good or bad – the image we have of him.”
Matthew added: “To be able to do this in one of the UK’s great theatres and with an actor of Simon Callow’s abilities is a great privilege.”
Director Joseph Alford said: “A one-man show with Simon Callow as Jesus of Nazareth – each element is a new experience for me in that I’ve never done a show like that, with him or about this and I’m very excited about every part of it!”
“We are rehearsing at the wonderful Shoreditch Town Hall in London before heading to Belfast to open at the Lyric Theatre in April. I have not worked at the Lyric Theatre before and have heard only great things about the new theatre.xa0The show is still undergoing shifts and changes, but what interests me most about it is the amazing impact one person can have on the lives of the people around them, whether you see them as Messiah, son, father or just a man.”
The star of the show, Simon Callow, visited the Lyric Theatre at the end of January to launch its new season of plays. Belfast is a city that is close to his heart having studied at Queen’s University in the late 60’s.
He said: “I can barely express my excitement at appearing on the stage of the most beautiful new theatre in Europe, at returning to the city where I studied and where I did my first acting, and at being involved in the world premiere of Matthew Hurt’s deeply moving new play about Jesus.”
At the end of this much anticipated premiere, the distinguished actor will deliver the annual Lyric Lecture on 21 April to celebrate the theatre’s second birthday.
Gilly Campbell, Drama and Dance Officer, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented:xa0“The Lyric has provided an outstanding cultural programme over the past 40 years and has continued to generate some of the most ground-breaking and innovative theatre in its new state-of-the-art home. The Arts Council enjoys a strong partnership with the Lyric Theatre and we look forward to another exciting year ahead.”
The Man Jesusxa0runs on the Danske Bank Stage from 3 to 20 April (previews 30, 31 March & 2 April). Tickets from £15 – £24.50. To book contact the Lyric box office on 028 9038 1081 or online atxa0www.lyrictheatre.co.uk]]>
