Riflemind Tickets

Riflemind, after a successful run in Australia, is appearing at Trafalgar Studios on Whitehall in London. Writer Andrew Upton’s dramatic and comical new play is starring one of Britain’s most well known actors John Hannah (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Sliding Doors, The Mummy Series). Directed by Hollywood actor Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote, Red Dragon, The 25th Hour), Riflemind is a story about men who once had ambition, but now know that time is passing them by. This witty play shows all the signs that come with middle-age fears and crises. The show runs from mid September to early January.

Riflemind is the name of the band at the centre of this play. Twenty years ago they were an iconic rock band with grand ambitions, but all of that changed when the front man John (Hannah) walked offstage, never to return. Now John wants the band to reunite, so that he can have a second chance in the limelight – afterall, they enjoyed a lot of success first time around. His wife Lynn (Susan Prior) is fearful of such prospects, clearly happy with the way things are. John invites his former band mates to his country manor for a weekend of drama and comedy. Middle age men are at their limits, with the angst they carry with them ready to cause a lot of conflict.

Riflemind is written by Andrew Upton, originally for the Sydney Theatre Company (with artistic Directors Andrew Upton and Cate Blanchett), but now appearing at Trafalgar Studios. Other cast members include Paul Hilton, Steve Rodgers and Jeremy Sims. The designer is Richard Roberts, with lighting design by Damien Cooper and Colin Grenfell. Costume design is by Tess Schofield with sound design by Max Lyandvert and Fergus O’Hare.

Director Philip Seymour Hoffman’s previous stage directing experiences come from Jesus Hopped The A-Train, which appeared in the West End, as well as those mentioned, his other screen credits include starring in Charlie Wilson’s War and The Talented Mr Ripley.

Actor John Hannah first came into the public eye with the hit Four Weddings and A Funeral, following it with Sliding Doors in 1998. He is perhaps best known as playing Jonathon in the hit Hollywood movies The Mummy, The Mummy Returns and The Mummy: The Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. He has also starred on television in the series Rebus. More recently he has taken part in the ad campaign for Virgin Atlantic at Heathrow Airport.