The Best Man Tickets
Martin Shaw leads a stellar cast in the West End premiere of Gore Vidal’s thrilling political drama The Best Man, playing a strictly limited engagement at London’s Playhouse Theatre. As two US presidential candidates embark on a battle to win the White House, the searing play asks where compromise ends and corruption begins.
Producer Bill Kenwright brings his hugely successful 2017 touring production of The Best Man to the West End’s Playhouse Theatre this spring, starring Martin Shaw. With numerous good reviews behind it, this politically prescient play is guaranteed to resonate with London audiences, at a time when American politics are a fiercely debated topic.
Gore Vidal’s 1960 play about a US presidential election with two candidates on opposite sides of the moral compass parallels the Democratic Party at the time, when Kennedy ran against Adlai Stevenson for the party’s nomination as presidential candidate. However, the play’s resemblance to the 2016 election between Trump and Clinton makes it just as relevant today, despite its 1960’s setting.
In the summer of 1960, populist senator Joseph Cantwell, known for his unscrupulous and fraudulent behaviour, is running against morally upright liberal, William Russell. As the two battle it out, they both seek support from the current President. This endorsement could be the deciding factor between who leads the country and who disappears into obscurity.
West End veteran Martin Shaw (Inspector George Gently) plays William Russell, supported by a stellar cast including Jeff Fahey (Twelve Angry Men), Olivier Award-winner Maureen Lipman, Jack Shepherd, Honeysuckle Weeks and Glynis Barber.
The Best Man is directed by Simon Evans, with design by Michael Taylor and lighting design by Chris Davey, as well as sound and compositions by Ed Lewis. The sizzling political drama runs at the Playhouse Theatre for a strictly limited season, from 24 February to 26 May 2018, with a press night on 5 March 2018.
Gore Vidal’s 1960 play about a US presidential election with two candidates on opposite sides of the moral compass parallels the Democratic Party at the time, when Kennedy ran against Adlai Stevenson for the party’s nomination as presidential candidate. However, the play’s resemblance to the 2016 election between Trump and Clinton makes it just as relevant today, despite its 1960’s setting.
In the summer of 1960, populist senator Joseph Cantwell, known for his unscrupulous and fraudulent behaviour, is running against morally upright liberal, William Russell. As the two battle it out, they both seek support from the current President. This endorsement could be the deciding factor between who leads the country and who disappears into obscurity.
West End veteran Martin Shaw (Inspector George Gently) plays William Russell, supported by a stellar cast including Jeff Fahey (Twelve Angry Men), Olivier Award-winner Maureen Lipman, Jack Shepherd, Honeysuckle Weeks and Glynis Barber.
The Best Man is directed by Simon Evans, with design by Michael Taylor and lighting design by Chris Davey, as well as sound and compositions by Ed Lewis. The sizzling political drama runs at the Playhouse Theatre for a strictly limited season, from 24 February to 26 May 2018, with a press night on 5 March 2018.
Sorry this show closed 26 May 2018, we recommend these similar productions.
Performance dates:
26 May 2018 - 26 May 2018
Running time:
2 hours and 30 minutes.
Venue:
Age recommendation:
Suitable for ages 12+
Audience Notes:
Fans of Gore Vidal’s writing, current affairs and great performances won’t want to miss the opportunity to see this well-received tour come to London.
Categories:
The Best Man Reviews
User Reviews
1/11
An interesting play depicting two presidential candidates being completely ruthless with one another in order to gain their parties nomination to run for president.(i.e. vying to be the 'best man' for the job!) I found it a good play and even though Read more