Ralph Fiennes on stage
I went to see a matinee of A Christmas Carol at the Gate Theatre this afternoon: it was a great staging, with very clever (but simple) sets, and continuity provided by snatches of actual carols sung by the cast. Notices were up for the next production, starting the 7th of February--Brian Friel's The Faith Healer. The surprise (to me) is that it will star Ralph Fiennes and Ian McDiarmid--as my elder niece said, "Wow, both Voldemort and the Emperor from Star Wars!"
I'm really tempted: on the one hand, it's a rather intensely serious play, and I usen't to think I'd go chasing after stars; on the other hand, to hell with it, it's Ralph Fiennes in a small theatre! The chances of my visits to London ever coinciding with his appearances in the West End are miniscule. The production will move to Broadway when it's finished in Dublin, and prices at the Gate are certainly a lot cheaper than Broadway.
If I book soon I might get tickets in the front row!