January 2008

THE LOVER AND THE COLLECTION BY HAROLD PINTER

Howard Panter for the Ambassador Theatre Group, Tulchin/Bartner and
Sweet Pea Productions present

Richard Coyle - Gina McKee - Charlie Cox - Timothy West in

THE LOVER and THE COLLECTION by Harold Pinter

The Lover and The Collection by Harold Pinter open at the Comedy Theatre on 29 January 2008 (with previews from 15 January 08).

Hidden truths are revealed and sexual power games exposed in these two funny, dark and deeply moving plays by Harold Pinter.

The Lover is a tale of fantasy, desire and danger. Behind closed suburban doors, a couple’s darkest desires are unlocked and undressed.

Gina McKee as Sarah and Richard Coyle as Richard.

The Collection is an explosive comedy laced with danger and adultery. Two couples fall victim to suspicion and jealousy when their sexual power games stifle the truth about one lost night in a Leeds hotel room.

Richard Coyle as James, Gina McKee as Stella, Charlie Cox as Bill and Timothy West as Harry.

These rarely performed plays are directed by Jamie Lloyd.

Harold Pinter is the author of over 32 plays, including such classics as THE BIRTHDAY PARTY, THE HOMECOMING and BETRAYAL. He recently adapted the remake of SLEUTH for film, starring Michael Caine and Jude Law. He has been received numerous awards including the Nobel Prize for Literature 2005 and Legion d’Honneur in 2007.

Charlie Cox is one of the UK’s youngest new film stars and is perhaps best known for his most recent starring role in STARDUST opposite Michelle Pfeiffer. He made his film debut with Gael Garcia Bernal in Matthew Parkhill’s hit film festival hit DOT THE I and in the twentysomething hit film comedy THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU’RE 30. He went on to play Lorenzo in Michael Radford’s award-winning screen adaptation of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE with Al Pacino. Charlie’s first major Hollywood role was playing Sienna Miller’s brother in the romantic comedy CASANOVA. On television he has been starring in the British Crime drama Lewis and the BBC sci-fi thriller A for ANDROMEDA.

Gina McKee is known to millions for her role as Bella in NOTTING HILL opposite Hugh Grant. She shot to fame playing the role of Mary Cox in the iconic TV series OUR FRIENDS IN THE NORTH, for which she won the 1997 BAFTA Award for Best Actress. She has most recently appeared in the critically acclaimed film ATONEMENT with Kiera Knightly and James McAvoy as well as AND WHEN DID YOU LAST SEE YOUR FATHER? with Colin Firth and Jim Broadbent. She has worked with directors as diverse as Mike Figgis (THE LOSS OF SEXUAL INNOCENCE), Michael Winterbottom (WONDERLAND) Luc Besson (JOAN OF ARC), and Mike Leigh (NAKED). Her previous theatre credits include ARISTOCRATS at the National Theatre and OLD TIMES at the Donmar Warehouse.

Richard Coyle is currently starring in the leading role of ITV hit WHISTLEBLOWERS. Known to many for his role as Jeff Murdoch in the international hit BBC comedy series COUPLING, which made him one of the most recognised faces in British TV, his extensive theatre credits include the Donmar Warehouse’s production of PROOF alongside Gwyneth Paltrow, Strindberg’s AFTER MISS JULIE with Helen Baxendale, Michael Grandage’s acclaimed production of DON CARLOS in the West End and Peter Gill’s THE YORK REALIST at the Royal Court. His film work includes A GOOD YEAR with Russell Crowe, HUMAN TRAFFIC and THE LIBERTINE opposite Johnny Depp. Most recently he was in Peter Gill’s production of John Osborne’s LOOK BACK IN ANGER at the Theatre Royal, Bath and appeared in a special episode of CRACKER: NINE ELEVEN.

Timothy West most recently appeared in the BBC’s BAFTA award winning show BLEAK HOUSE. His career has spanned over 50 years starring in numerous TV, film and stage productions. His many stage performances include the title role of KING LEAR for English Touring Theatre, CORIOLANUS for the RSC, and A NUMBER by Caryl Churchill at Sheffield Theatres. For film he appeared in, amongst others, THE DAY OF THE JACKAL, THE THIRTY-NINE STEPS, CRY FREEDOM, jOAN OF ARC, EVER AFTER and IRIS. His numerous television appearances include EDWARD VII, HARD TIMES and CRIME AND PUNISHMENT. In 1984 he was made CBE for his services to his profession.

Jamie Lloyd recently directed the critically acclaimed production of THE CARETAKER, for Sheffield Theatres. He will direct Michael Grandage’s award-winning production of GUYS AND DOLLS in Australia, for which he was Associate Director. Directing credits include the British premiere of Falsettoland (Pleasance, Edinburgh) for which he won RSC’s Buzz Goodbody Best Director Award, the Cameron Mackintosh Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre and the Bush Theatre Directing Bursary.

The Lover and The Collection is designed by Soutra Gilmour, with lighting by Jon Clark and sound by Ben and Max Ringham. The Lover and The Collection is produced in the West End by Howard Panter for the Ambassador Theatre Group, Tulchin/Bartner Productions and Sweet Pea Productions.

LISTINGS
THE LOVER and THE COLLECTION by Harold Pinter

Comedy Theatre, Panton Street, London, SW1Y 4DN
Starring, Richard Coyle, Gina McKee, Charlie Cox, Timothy West

Previews from Tuesday 15 January 2008
Press Night - 7pm Tuesday 29 January

Booking to 3 May 2008

Performance Times Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm
Wednesday and Saturday matinees 2.30pm

BOX OFFICE: 0870 060 6637

TICKET PRICES: £45, £40, £35 & £20

As part of ATG’s online strategy, customers can save money by booking online at www.theambassadors.com

For more information please contact
Ewan Thomson 0207 492 0614 e: ewan@borkowski.co.uk
Amy Barder 0207 492 0635 e: amy@borkowski.co.uk

HELTER SKELTER AND LAND OF THE DEAD

Dialogue Productions in association with Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and the Bush Theatre present

The UK premiere of
HELTER SKELTER and
LAND OF THE DEAD
A double bill of plays by Neil LaBute

Helter Skelter and Land of the Dead will both receive their UK premiere this winter at The Bush Theatre, opening on 17 January with previews from 15 January. The productions, written by Neil LaBute, will be directed by Patricia Benecke, designed by Sara Perks, with lighting by John Harris and music by Nikola Kodjabashia.

In two stunning new companion pieces writer Neil LaBute charts the trajectories of two regular couples in contemporary America, and their extreme responses to sudden changes in their lives.

In Helter Skelter, a man and his wife meet in a chic restaurant in New York City to take a break from Christmas shopping. He doesn't know that she has already been following him today. In Land of the Dead, also set in New York, a different couple part. He goes to the office, she visits a clinic. As events unfold, it becomes clear that this is not a day either couple will forget.

Award-winning playwright, screenwriter and film director Neil LaBute has had recent hits in the West End with Some Girl(s) (Gielgud), Bash (Trafalgar Studios) and This is How It Goes (Donmar Warehouse). His films include The Wicker Man, In the Company of Men and The Shape of Things.

Patricia Benecke recently directed Monsieur Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Qur’an, which toured the UK in 2006 after a sell-out run at The Bush Theatre. A director in both the UK and Germany, some of Patricia’s productions include Realism (Bonn Rep), Shining City (Dortmund Rep), By the Bog of Cats (Heilbronn Rep), Top Dogs (Southwark Playhouse and UK tour) and Miss Julie (Mercury, Colchester).

Ruth Gemmell’s stage appearances include Coram Boy (NT), Macbeth, King Lear (RSC), The Weir (Royal Court). Her many TV appearances include Waking the Dead, Silent Witness and Spooks (all BBC).

John Kirk’s stage work includes Love and Money (Young Vic/ Royal Exchange), Abigail’s Party (Pilot Theatre Company) and My Dad’s a Birdman (Young Vic Theatre). John’s TV includes Extras and Eastenders (BBC) and he appeared in Career Girls directed by Mike Leigh.

Patrick Driver’s stage appearances include Othello (Salisbury Playhouse), Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Volpone (Royal Exchange, Manchester) and Reverence (Southwark Playhouse). His television appearances include The Office (BBC), Peep Show and The Last Chancers (Channel 4).

Dialogue Productions is a distinctive new company building a reputation for premiering the best international work. Productions include Top Dogs and Monsieur Ibrahim & The Flowers of The Qur’an. Future projects include Wedding Day at The Cro-Magnons by Wajdi Mouwad at Soho theatre in April 2008.

www.bushtheatre.co.uk www.dialogueproductions.co.uk

HELTER SKELTER and LAND OF THE DEAD
Listings at The Bush Theatre, London, W12

Previews Tuesday 15 – 16 Jan 2008 8pm - £13, £9 concs.
Press Night Thursday 17 January 7pm - £15, £10 concs.
Saturday Matinees 26 Jan, 2, 9, 16 Feb 3pm - £10
All other perfs. 8pm - £15, £10 concs.
Booking until Saturday 16 February 2008
Closed Sundays

For all press enquires and review tickets for
Helter Skelter/ Land of the Dead
please contact
Ewan Thomson ewan@borkowski.co.uk – 0207 492 0614 / 07917 167 790
Giles Cooper giles@borkowski.co.uk – 0207 492 0643 / 07917 167 809

ZAVVI SHOWS STRONG GROWTH IN ITS FIRST CHRISTMAS

During its first Christmas trading the zavvi entertainment group trading as ‘zavvi’ experienced a 10.8pc increase in sales on the previous year when trading as Virgin Megastores (four week trading period ending 5 January).

· 10.2pc LFL sales increase (excluding online)
· Over 70pc online sales growth
· Margin Growth of 2pc

View enlarged image

“When you consider the downbeat assessment of the high street from certain quarters, our trading performance over Christmas is very encouraging,” said zavvi MD Simon Douglas.

“Although the team has a rich history in entertainment retail, there’s no getting away from the fact that zavvi is the newest kid on the block as far as customers are concerned so to perform as well as we have during such an important trading period has to be taken as a huge positive.”

Games
Games sales grew by 62.7pc on a like-for-like basis during Christmas despite the short supply of this year’s must-have gifts, the Nintendo Wii and DS.

Simon Douglas added, “We are thrilled with an exceptional 62.7pc LFL increase across our games business, especially considering the well publicised availability issues within games over Christmas. A strong release schedule, the continued success of next generation hardware and well marketed games campaigns made a real difference and we expect more of the same in 2008.”

DVD
DVD sales grew 6.4pc LFL on the back of a strong growth during Christmas 2006. However, continuing price deflation on chart and new release offset significant growth experience on range and box sets. A positive for the future film market was the growth demonstrated by Blu Ray and HD, where zavvi’s market share peaked at 15.8pc, partly fuelled by the reduction in price of HD players and the growing install base of PlayStation 3.

Music
Music was down 11.6pc on a LFL basis on the back of a weak release schedule and price deflation effecting chart sales. zavvi did experience positive growth on catalogue and range during Q4 and this year’s outlook for music looks more positive with the likes of Oasis, Madonna, Coldplay, U2, Kasabian and Razorlight scheduled for 2008 releases.

Other Product
The complementary ranges of books, clothing and digital hardware saw a positive 45.2pc LFL increase reflecting an greater focus in these areas.

Looking ahead
Other initiatives planned for 2008 include:
· New stores for Belfast, Camberley, Bristol and Liverpool
· Store re-branding programme complete with new window and in-store branding in place by end of January
· Website re-branded as zavvi by 14 January with further customer and back of house enhancements to follow

Douglas concluded by saying ‘For a business that launched on 14 September with a brand new name, Christmas trading has been excellent.”

“The commitment and performance of staff has been a major factor of this success. We now want to consolidate our Christmas performance and drive further significant growth through games, HD DVD, books, posters, clothing and digital hardware. We remain upbeat about the potential of the music and DVD market and are fully committed to these core markets to further push our specialist credentials.”

“This year will also see a further push to grow our e-commence business which will play a key role in the future success of zavvi.”

For more information, please contact:
Alex Wilkinson alex@borkowski.co.uk
or Emeka Njodi meka@borkowski.co.uk
at BORKOWSKI PR
020 7404 3000