Sigourney Weaver to make dazzling West End debut

Virgin Radio

30 Jul 2024, 15:30

Alien star takes on Shakespeare’s The Tempest in a thrilling new production.

The legendary Sigourney Weaver, best known for her iconic roles in Ridley Scott’s Alien franchise and James Cameron’s Avatar series, is set to grace London’s West End.

Yes, you heard it right – the sci-fi queen is swapping spaceships for Shakespeare, starring as the sorcerer Prospero in Jamie Lloyd's highly anticipated production of The Tempest.

The news, which has sent shockwaves through both Hollywood and the West End, was announced on Instagram by The Jamie Lloyd Company.

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"The legendary #SigourneyWeaver makes her West End debut as Prospero in this enchanting story of revenge and forgiveness," the post read.

It's safe to say that fans are buzzing like a Weyland-Yutani spaceship on hyperdrive.

Weaver’s role as Prospero is particularly exciting because it’s traditionally played by a man. But if anyone can shatter conventions and make Shakespeare sparkle in new ways, it’s our Sigourney.

Director Jamie Lloyd is over the moon about this casting coup.

"Sigourney knows her Shakespeare, she knows theatre, and I could not be more excited that she has agreed to play this role," he told Deadline.

Lloyd had a theatrical epiphany one night, realising that Weaver would "create theatrical electricity" as Prospero.

"She's such a lovely, witty person. So insightful," he added.

"She'd read the play, especially from a perspective of a woman playing Prospero. And that really excited her and it made sense and illuminated the play in new ways."

This marks Weaver’s first Shakespearean role since 1986 when she starred as Portia in an off-Broadway revival of The Merchant of Venice.

The Ghostbusters star also strutted her stuff in a 1979 touring production of King Lear.

Now she’s ready to conjure storms and command spirits on the historic stage of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Sigourney herself is thrilled about the opportunity.

"I am delighted to be making my West End debut in Shakespeare’s The Tempest directed by the brilliant Jamie Lloyd – and to do so in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beautiful and historic Theatre Royal Drury Lane is an extraordinary opportunity. Come and see us!” she gushed.

The production will open on December 19, with previews from December 7, and will run until February 1, 2025. Theatre-goers are already marking their calendars and setting their alarms for ticket sales.

Tickets go on sale to those signed up for priority booking on August 6 at 11 am, with general booking opening on August 7 at 11 am. Don’t miss out – these are sure to sell faster than you can say Xenomorph!

But that’s not all, folks. Jamie Lloyd also revealed a tantalising tidbit about another Shakespearean treat.

Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell will star in his production of Much Ado About Nothing, beginning previews on February 10 and running until April 5.

It looks like the West End is about to have a renaissance of its own, with a lineup that’s sure to delight fans of both classic theatre and blockbuster stars.