On its return visit to London, the Icelandic Vesturport Company’s Romeo and Juliet, currently playing the Playhouse Theatre, has attracted a small army of celebrity fans. And what’s more, a clutch of them have enjoyed the show so much, they’ve agreed to appear in it.

Sean Connery, John Hurt, Jonathan Pryce, Jude Law, Joanna Lumley and Vanessa Redgrave are on the list of celebs apparently itching to join the staging, much of which is spent by the cast dangling in mid-air. In a press statement, Lumley is quoted as saying, “This production is so full of energy and passion that it becomes contagious and makes one want to join the fun.”

Having rehearsed their show for six months without any pay or production budget, the Vesturport troupe are poised to reap long-delayed financial rewards if the show becomes a cult hit. And, there are plenty of stars lining up to help them do just that. Confirmed appearances in the show include:
Joanna Lumley – Dec. 16
Jenny Seagrove – Dec. 17
Vanessa Redgrave – Dec. 18
Derek Jacobi – Dec. 21
Jonathan Pryce – Dec. 22
Dawn French – Jan. 4, 2005
Francesca Annis – Jan. 8
Sean Connery – date to be confirmed

The play’s director, Gisli Orn Gardarsson, said in a statement, “We thought Shakespeare would never sell many tickets, in Iceland or anywhere else, so this journey with the production has been pleasantly surprising for us as artists. To get good reviews is one thing, but to get such a strong and encouraging feedback from British actors, whose work we admire, is totally another thing. It’s beyond belief.”

Other names and dates are expected to be announced shortly. It seems that Romeo is following the clever marketing pattern set by The Play What I Wrote, where different celebrity guest appearances became as big a draw as the show itself.

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