Onassis

SYNOPSIS

Onassis

A large team of talented actors have been drawn together for the upcoming dramatisation of the life and relationships of Aristotle Onassis at the Novello Theatre this October. Amongst them is stage and screen star Robert Lindsay, as well as Lydia Leonard, Anna Francolini and Liz Crowther, plus many more. Together they will present a compelling portrayal of a man whose wealth and obsessions let him slide away from the realities of the everyday life, with Martin Sherman’s script showing a man driven by the high life and placed in the spotlight because of controversial marriages.

Robert Lindsay is best known as Ben Harper in the long running television sitcom “My Family” and he makes this upcoming appearance in the West End having originated the role in “Aristo” at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester, in 2008. This is the latest version of that show, with writer Martin Sherman rebuilding the story to give more of a focus to his relationships, both with his wives and with his son. The result is a unique portrayal even for those that witnessed the original version two years ago.

In addition to his role as Ben Harper, Lindsay has also played Tony Blair onscreen twice, most recently in 2007’s Channel 4 movie “The Trial of Tony Blair”, and has built a career as a respected actor of the stage and screen. His efforts have earned him a Laurence Olivier Award for the likes of “Me and My Girl”, with other credits that include “The Entertainer” at the Old Vic in 2007.

“Onassis” will also see him re-team with a co-star from the television show “Jericho” Lydia Leonard, who appeared in the acclaimed programme in 2005. The actress has also made a name for herself with many stage credits that include the recent production of “Time and the Conways” at the National Theatre.

Along with Anna Francolini, Leonard portrays one of Aristotle Onassis’s lovers in the show. She plays Jackie Kennedy to Francolini’s Mara Callas (the opera star he met in 1957), with the former First Lady marrying him in 1968. These marriages were a part of what made Onassis, the prosperous Greek shipping magnate, famous around the world and also led to a long feud with the Kennedy family.

Also appearing in the show is “Shoestring” star Liz Crowther, who has appeared in a wealth of television shows from “Doctors” to “The Bill”. In addition, the cast also includes Tom Austen, Gawn Grainger, Ben Grove, Robert Hastie, John Hodgkinson, Sue Kelvin and Graeme Taylor.

Onassis is at the Novello Theatre from Tuesday 12th October 2010 (previews from Thursday 30th September 2010) and continues to Saturday 8th January 2011.