Yahoo Lifestyle ‘Midnight Cowboy’ Musical Sets London World Premiere With ‘EastEnders’ Star Max Bowden – Global Bulletin
RIZZO RIDES
“EastEnders” regular Max Bowden and WhatsOnStage Award nominee Paul Jacob French are set to headline the world premiere of “Midnight Cowboy — A New Musical” at London’s Southwark Playhouse Elephant. The production begins performances April 4.
Based on James Leo Herlihy’s novel that spawned the 1969 Oscar-winning film by John Schlesinger, starring Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight, the musical follows desperate dreamer Joe Buck and his unlikely partnership with Rico “Ratso” Rizzo as they navigate the gritty underbelly of New York City.
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Bowden, known for his role as Ben Mitchell in the BBC soap, will take on the Rizzo role, while French, who earned recognition for his turn as Kenickie in the West End’s “Grease,” will portray Buck. “Here We Go” actor Tori Allen-Martin rounds out the principal cast as Cass.
The creative team brings serious West End cred to the project. Tony nominee Bryony Lavery (“Frozen”) pens the book, while three-time Ivor Novello winner Francis “Eg” White, whose songwriting credits include Adele and Sam Smith, crafts the score. Nick Winston handles direction and choreography duties. The production, mounted by Adama Entertainment, will run through May 17.
MAESTRO’S MAJESTY
Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer is bringing his acclaimed live performances to the big screen with “Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert,” a new concert film featuring performances from Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena and Al Wasl Plaza dome. The feature, helmed by Emmy winner Paul Dugdale, captures Zimmer’s renditions of his iconic scores from “Dune,” “Gladiator,” “Interstellar” and “The Lion King.”
The film, which marks Zimmer’s first concert documentary, includes conversations with Hollywood heavyweights Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve, Billie Eilish, Timothée Chalamet, Pharrell Williams and Zendaya. Jerry Bruckheimer serves as executive producer.
“The ‘Hans Zimmer Live’ tour has been one of the most exciting experiences of my career,” says Zimmer. “Seeing these compositions transform from their big-screen origins to the live show then back to the big screen is a delightful full-circle moment.”
Global theatrical rollout begins March 19 across the Americas, Europe, Asia and U.A.E., with Australasia and additional Middle East territories to follow. Trafalgar Releasing handles worldwide distribution, except for Middle East territories where Vox will distribute.
The composer, whose scores have contributed to films grossing over $28 billion worldwide, recently completed work on Steve McQueen’s “Blitz” and is scoring Joseph Kosinski’s upcoming “F1” for Warner Bros.
CINEMATOGRAPHER CROWNED
Indian National Film Award winner Ravi Varman has been tapped as the newest member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), becoming only the second Indian cinematographer to join the prestigious org after Santosh Sivan. Varman has lensed some 35 films across multiple Indian languages during his 25-year career.
The self-taught cinematographer, known for his work on “Ponniyin Selvan,” “Barfi,” “Sanju” and “Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela,” came up the hard way. Orphaned at 13, he started in the film industry as an office boy at 16, eventually working his way up to cinematographer by 1999.
“It gives me great joy and pride to be included in a platform where the world’s leading cinematographers who have won awards including Oscars are members,” says Varman of his ASC membership.
His collaborations include work with top Indian helmers Mani Ratnam, Shankar, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Raj Kumar Hirani, Anurag Basu and Imtiaz Ali, as well as American director Duane Adler. His visual style, influenced by painters Salvador Dali, Van Gogh and Raja Ravi Varma, is noted for its distinctive use of glares, flares and vibrant colors.
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