Sigourney Weaver Joins Tom Hiddleston, Hayley Atwell For West End Shakespeare

EXCLUSIVE: Sigourney Weaver is set to make her West End stage debut as Prospero in The Tempest . Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell will take on the iconic roles of Benedick and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing . Both productions are orchestrated by director Jamie Lloyd at the historic Theatre Royal Drury Lane in Covent Garden, a venue owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Weaver, known for her roles in Ridley Scott’s Alien movies and James Cameron’s Avatar epics, last appeared in a Shakespearean play in 1986, playing Portia in an off-Broadway revival of The Merchant of Venice . Her journey with Shakespeare began much earlier; as a Stanford sophomore in 1979, she played Goneril in a production of King Lear .

Weaver reminisced in a 2012 interview that, during her role in Alien , she pretended she was performing Henry V due to her love for Shakespeare.

“Sigourney knows her Shakespeare, she knows theater, and I could not be more excited that she has agreed to play this role,” Lloyd told Deadline. Weaver’s debut will be part of Lloyd’s Jamie Lloyd Company’s Shakespeare season at Drury Lane.

The first preview of The Tempest is scheduled for December 7, and it will run until February 1. Much Ado About Nothing will start previews on February 10 and run until April 5.

The Theatre Royal Drury Lane, opened in 1763, is a historic venue for Shakespearean performances. It underwent a $77M restoration by Lloyd Webber, who emphasized the importance of bringing Shakespeare back to the venue. Webber’s nostalgia traces back to his childhood, when he saw Gielgud perform The Tempest .

Lloyd shared anecdotes from Webber, indicating a deep bond and shared vision. The decision to feature The Tempest as the returning play was both symbolic and fitting.

Lloyd had an epiphany about casting Weaver as Prospero, despite her long absence from Shakespearean roles. Surprisingly, Weaver responded enthusiastically to the idea, expressing her passion in an email that led to an inspiring Zoom conversation between them. Lloyd highlighted Weaver’s commanding presence and ability to delve into complex roles as key reasons for her casting.

Lloyd reminisced about his admiration for Weaver’s performances in iconic movies like Ghostbusters , Gorillas in the Mist , and Working Girl . He described a sense of awe at working with someone he had admired since childhood.

Lloyd remarked on Weaver’s charismatic and insightful personality, qualities he believes will enrich her portrayal of Prospero. He emphasized the thematic journey of The Tempest —from vengeance to forgiveness and love.

Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell, seasoned collaborators of Lloyd, will bring Much Ado About Nothing to life. Lloyd previously worked with Hiddleston on a notable production of Betrayal in 2019 and has directed Atwell in several plays, underscoring the chemistry and trust between them.

Both Hiddleston and Atwell have continued to shine in their careers, with Hiddleston known for The Night Manager and the Loki series, and Atwell for her roles in Mission: Impossible and Marvel productions.

Lloyd looks forward to witnessing the dynamic between Hiddleston and Atwell in Much Ado About Nothing , praising their wit and intelligence, which are essential for the roles of Benedick and Beatrice.

Both productions will be stripped back in terms of staging, focusing on the essence of the plays. Unlike previous productions, Lloyd will refrain from using video elements for these performances, aiming for simplicity and purity in presentation.

The Shakespeare season will take place between Disney’s Frozen and the upcoming musical Hercules. It is a limited 16-week run, featuring 25,000 tickets priced at £25, aimed specifically at under-30s, key workers, and those receiving government benefits to ensure wider accessibility.

Lloyd’s excitement and commitment to making Shakespeare accessible and engaging for modern audiences are palpable. He emphasizes the importance of direct and personal communication in theater, evident in his interactions with Weaver.

As Weaver embraces her role as Prospero, she continues a legacy tied to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, once home to John Gielgud’s performance in the same role. Her stage journey comes full circle, from her Broadway debut working with Gielgud to performing where he once did.

Source: Deadline