The Year Of Magical Thinking Tickets

The Lyttelton Theatre will be home to the UK premiere of The Year Of Magical Thinking after a sell-out run on Broadway in 2007. Adapted by Joan Didion from her own best-selling memoir, David Hare’s acclaimed production chronicles grief and the way in which a person deals with the sudden death of a loved one. 'Redgrave inhabits the very soul of the character and lets you see Didion's honesty, guilt, irony, and capacity for self-examination. A consummate piece of acting' says The Guardian. The Daily Express calls Redgraves’ performance ‘stunning…reasserts her standing as one of this country’s truly great actresses. One of the most powerful performances to be seen on the London stage for some time’. The Daily Telegraph agrees: ‘A magnificent solo performance. As moving as anything we are likely to encounter in a theatre this year’. London Theatre Guide adds ‘It's always a treat to see Vanessa Redgrave in live theatre’. Finally, What’s On Stage also praises the actress: ‘Redgrave has never been finer than she is in this role’.

Vanessa Redgrave appears on stage in a solo performance chronicling the way in which a woman reacts to the death of her husband. It explores the emotions which no-one expects to feel. Everyone expects to feel something; shock perhaps, and even overcome with loss – inconsolable. Daivd Hare’s production shows us that there are emotions beyond these, where a human becomes literally crazy, expecting for their husband to return home at any moment. When a loved one dies, it is often a lonely experience where you are expected to deal with it alone, especially after arrangements such as the funeral are over. The Year Of Magical Thinking is based on the real life story of author Joan Didion, whose husband (John Dunne) and Quintana, her daughter both died within eighteen months of each other.

David Hare directs the play from Joan Didion’s writing. Design is by Bob Crowley with lighting by Jean Jalman. Ann Roth is behind the costumes with sound by Paul Arditti.

The Year Of Magical Thinking is an honest and very personal account of death given an stunning portrayal by Vanessa Redgrave, who will wow you with her solo performance for ninety minutes with no interval. This is an actress in her prime, giving a performance that should not be missed.

The Year Of Magical Thinking is at the Lyttelton Theatre until Saturday 25th October 2008.