The Country Girl Tickets

George Seaton’s 1954 adaptation of Clifford Odets’ “The Country Girl” remains a firm classic of the silver screen and its two Academy Award-wins are a testament to this. With an unbeatable cast that included the superstar Bing Crosby, the renowned Grace Kelly and prolific actor William Holden it would be remembered for years to come.

But the play upon which it was based is also a classic and without the work of Clifford Odets the success the story found onscreen could not have been possible. His work was far-reaching and his personal life troublesome (he was brought before the House Committee on Un-American Activities, much like contemporary Arthur Miller), but with “The Country Girl” he presented a deeply compelling portrait of an actor struggling to come to terms with events in his past as his wife bears the brunt of his excess and the blame.

The actor is Frank Elgin, who has been cast against the odds in a new show from director Bernie Dodd. Elgin is down on his luck and is no longer the sought-after actor he once was, but Dodd feels he is right for the part and is dismayed by the troubles on set and the difficulties in his performance. But he misinterprets the situation as the fault of his wife, who he views as the force that is holding him back and after making his feelings clear to her he soon understands that he has gotten it all wrong. Rather than being the cause of Frank’s problems, Georgie has had to bear the full extent of his suicidal and alcoholic tendencies following a terrible accident. So with the new show coming along, it remains to be seen if it will be the success story that Frank needs to put his life back together.

Elgin and his wife will be portrayed by two familiar stars from television’s “Judge John Deed” – Martin Shaw and Jenny Seagrove – who will bring the parts to life having both enjoying careers onscreen and onstage. Shaw is a Tony Award-nominated performer whose work has been seen on both sides of the Atlantic, whilst Seagrove has appeared in a host of productions in the West End.

“The Country Girl” makes its appearance at the Apollo Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue from Monday 11th October 2010 (with preview from Wednesday 6th October 2010) and continues until Saturday 26th February 2011.