THEATER BEAT\Testy Briton comes west.Byline: Janet Weeks Nicol Williamson Nicol Williamson (born September 14 1938) is a Scottish actor who was described by English playwright John Osborne as "the greatest actor since Marlon Brando". Biography Early life , the volatile British thespian who once openly scolded a co-star's performance on stage and then whacked the actor with a sword, makes a rare West Coast appearance this month at the Geffen Playhouse The Geffen Playhouse (or the Geffen) is a not for profit performing arts theater in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Originally named the Westwood Playhouse, UCLA purchased the property in 1993. UCLA's then chancellor, Charles E. . Williamson brings his smash London hit "Jack: A Night on the Town With John Barrymore," to the Westwood theater for a limited four-week engagement prior to a Broadway opening in late April.This is the second play in which Williamson has portrayed Barrymore. Let's hope this performance is less, er, enthusiastic. Five years ago, Williamson played the ghost of Barrymore who haunts a hapless young New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of actor in the Broadway comedy "I Hate Hamlet I Hate Hamlet is a dramatic comedy written in 1992 by Paul Rudnick. Set in John Barrymore's old apartment in New York City, the play follows successful television actor Andrew Rally as he struggles with taking on the dream role of Hamlet, dealing with a girlfriend who is keeping a ." During part of the show, Williamson scolded co-star Evan Handler to "put some life into it!" and "use your head!" Later, the two actors flubbed a sword fight fencing; a combat or trial of skill with swords; swordplay. See also: Sword and Williamson hit Handler, who promptly left the stage and quit the show. At that point, Williamson turned to the audience and said, "Well, should I sing?" Barrymore actually seems a natural choice to portray an actor given to larger-than-life performances. A chronic alcoholic who died in 1942 at age 50, Barrymore was a brilliant actor bent on Adj. 1. bent on - fixed in your purpose; "bent on going to the theater"; "dead set against intervening"; "out to win every event" bent, dead set, out to self-destruction. Of Williamson's portrayal of Barrymore in "Jack," the London Times theater critic wrote: "Nicol is a British actor of genius." Williamson has also starred in several films. He played a cocaine-using Sherlock Holmes in "The Seven Percent Solution" and Merlin in John Boorman's "Excalibur." "Jack" begins previews Monday and opens Wednesday. Tickets range from $25 to $35. For ticket information, call (310) 208-5454. Stars help AIDS charities Musical theater stars will be getting together this weekend for a great cause: Raising money to help people who have AIDS. The 12th annual Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event, "Sondheim, Part III," will feature Tim Curry, Shaun Cassidy, Nancy Dussault, Joely Fisher, Betty Garrett, Joanna Gleason, Glynis Johns, Charlotte Rae, Paul Sand and more. The S.T.A.G.E. benefit is the longest-running annual AIDS fund-raiser in the world. Proceeds go to AIDS Service Center and AIDS Healthcare Foundation The AIDS Healthcare Foundation is a non profit, Los Angeles-based AIDS treatment and advocacy center. Their official founding pledge is to "provide cutting-edge medicine and advocacy, regardless of ability to pay. . Performances are at 8 tonight, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Doolittle Theatre in Hollywood. Tickets range from $30 to $150. Call (818) 440-9495. |
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