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Teach Yourself Acting

Teach Yourself Acting with Ellis Jones

February 1st – The Captain at the National

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    Now, the press night isn’t till Monday, and I know I’ve had a go at the critics in these pages before, but it would be unfair of me to write a “crit” on the strength of a preview…HOWEVER, last night I went to the National Theatre with the latest lovely cohort of bright, sharp students from New York to see “The Captain of Kopernick“, starring Anthony Sher, directed by Adrian Noble, on the Olivier stage, with settings by Anthony Ward. 

Suffice to say we all found it a remarkable event, and pace a great central performance by Sir Anthony, I’m just going to slip in special mentions for two of the finest character actors at work in London today, Alan David and Anthony O’Donnell. I’ll be surprised if the critics don’t pick up on their performances, but just in case…

Alan DAlan David         Tony O'DAnthony O’Donnell




Alan, who recently finished a long run in “Jerusalem” with Mark Rylance – and Tony, like Alan, a stalwart of many a National and RSC season, and who can be spotted currently on Sky TV in “Stella” – both quietly stake out that tricky Olivier stage as undisputed home territory in their respective roles – Alan as the Prison Director, Tony as the Mayor.

If only to see great, unselfish “supporting” actors, if you’re in London, a trip down to the South Bank is well worth it. I suspect this is going to be a success –  let’s see what the professionals make of it when they proclaim their verdicts on Tuesday morning.