Jun 17, 2019 almeida rush almeida rush allows audiences to book last minute tickets to popular almeida shows each week. Theres no heart but lots of blood in american psycho, duncan sheik and roberto aguirresacasas witty musical treatment of the scandalous 1991 novel by bret easton ellis and the sic. Dont make duncan sheik choose between being a recording artist and theatrical composer, especially on the eve of the spring awakening composers new show, american psycho, opening on broadway. American psycho begins with a quote from dantes inferno. The stars of the american psycho musical slip into character and a few rather dashing outfits that fit the bill american psycho mr porter 0001 the cast of american psycho for mr porter see more. American psycho musical to debut off broadway next year. Jul 23, 2015 the musical american psycho, based on the novel, is due on broadway next year. American psycho at almeida theatre islington london.
By turns devastating and quickwitted, scintillating yet unexpectedly moving, the piece raises all sorts of hopes for goolds embyronic almeida tenure and far more. American psycho, bret easton ellis american psycho is a novel, by bret easton ellis, published in 1991. American psycho, less than zero, the rules of attraction, and the informers, a collection of short stories, have all been made into films. Off broadway run of american psycho is dead the new york. Following a successful run at londons almeida theatre, tony awardwinner duncan sheiks musical adaptation of bret easton elliss 1991 novel, american psycho, will transfer to new yorks second. The reader is introduced to the novels narrator, patrick bateman, a 27yearold wall street investment banker. The almeida theatre, london exists to launch the next generation of british artists onto the world stage. Irvine welsh american psycho is a modern classic books. I love reading, but st like this makes me want to stop reading altogether. In 2008, producers david johnson, jesse singer, nate bolotin and aaron ray purchased the stage rights and were developing a musical adaptation of the novel to appear on broadway. Dec, 20 among the multiple achievements of american psycho, any one of which might be enough to make rupert goolds longawaited almeida seasonopener the banner musical of a notably busy year for the form, a particular paradox deserves mention up front. His life is hollow, defined by designer clothes, exclusive restaurants and elaborate personal grooming routines all described in excruciatingly banal detail. However i feel that in the last few years, via youtube clips and gifs, the internet has propagated this idea that patrick bateman is some sort of hilarious, anticonformity, antihero.
American psycho almeida matt smith plays patrick bateman in a stunning new musical adaptation of brett easton ellis cult novel at the almeida theatre. The musicalthriller is at the almeida theater in londons west end and runs through january 25th. Dec 21, 20 and now theres american psycho, an energetic stage adaptation of bret easton elliss novel about a soulless yuppie serial killer at large in 1980s manhattan being staged at londons almeida. Benjamin walker works to make american psycho sing. He and his entourage buy the most expensive designer clothes, eat at the most exclusive restaurants and party at the hottest clubs. Then american psycho is the show for you, bringing the ruthlessness of a serial killer in an orgiastic bloodbath to its depiction of the decade that.
Sep 12, 2014 american psycho had its premiere last winter at londons almeida theater, where mr. American psycho is produced in collaboration with his headlong theatre company which goold leaves in august 20 after eight years as artistic director to take up the reigns at the 325seat islington theatre, succeeding michael attenborough. And now theres american psycho, an energetic stage adaptation of bret easton elliss novel about a soulless yuppie serial killer at large. A musical version of bret easton elliss gruesome cult novel american psycho sounds like the punchline of a sick joke. And if you like american psycho, try tom wolfes bonfire of the vanities also a pretty bad movie, but the two books together kind of plumb the depths of the 80s. This is the first time any of his novels have been adapted for the stage. Jul 14, 2014 patrick bateman is snaking back to new york. American psycho hits broadway, so smooth, so rich, so ruthless. American psycho starring matt smith duncan sheik and robert aguirresacasas musical version of the bret easton ellis serialkiller tale has plenty of style but little. Matt smith plays patrick bateman in a stunning new musical adaptation of brett easton ellis cult novel at the almeida theatre.
Goold, as well as the shows composer, duncan sheik, and book writer, roberto aguirre. American psycho musical coming to off broadway the new. Jul 14, 2014 american psycho, the murderous musical that had its world premiere in london last year, has lined up a stateside debut at off broadways second stage theater, where the tuner will have a. Jointly presented by the almeida, headlong and act 4 entertainment. I thought it was kinda odd, since my theory isnt very.
Mar 24, 2016 matt smith as patrick bateman at the almeida theatre photograph. American psycho study guide from litcharts the creators. Smiths rousing final number, this is not an exit, warns us that his. The musical premiered at the almeida theatre, london in december 20.
Sheik pens the score, with playwright roberto aguirresacasa penning the book. American psycho musical will slay off broadway next year. Matt smith will make his musical theater debut as patrick bateman in an adaptation of american psycho, reports the bbc. American psycho musical looks like a bloody hit cbs news. Theater news duncan sheiks american psycho musical to see american premiere at second stage.
Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Thats not because of all that sloppy, sloshy blood, but because of its. Set in manhattan during the wall street boom of the late 1980s, american psycho follows the life of wealthy young investment banker patrick. The almeida theatre and headlongs newest musical american psycho is a perfect example of the emperors new clothes syndrome, where audiences are made to feel so lucky that they actually secured a ticket, they then feel compelled to enjoy it.
Outgoing doctor who matt smith to appear in american psycho. Book by roberto aguirresacasa music and lyrics by duncan sheik. This musical adaptation of bret easton elliss novel is bloody but vacuous. From left, matt smith, as patrick bateman, and ben aldridge in american psycho at the almeida theater in london. The term almeida theatre andor american psycho the musical as well as all associated graphics, logos, andor other trademarks, tradenames or s are the property of the almeida theatre andor american psycho the musical and are used herein for factual descriptive purposes only. Its a painful point, well made, but in many ways its an obvious point, and perhaps the biggest weakness of american psycho is that it pretty much shows its entire hand within the first.
Its almost impossible to separate american psycho from the reaction to it, and examining those objections helps in discerning the. Duncan sheiks american psycho musical to see american. In 2010, it was revealed that the project had rounded out the key elements. American psycho to debut in new york westendtheatre. Living the high life in 1980s manhattan, patrick bateman has it all looks, money, style and status. Killer shots of benjamin walker as american psychos. Bateman, who relays the action of the novel, as well as his innermost thoughts. In his original incarnation, patrick bateman is literally deadly dull. The almeida theatre and headlongs newest musical american psycho is a perfect example of the emperors new clothes syndrome, where audiences are made to feel so lucky that they actually secured a ticket, they then feel compelled to enjoy it and find themselves swept away unnecessarily. It is based on the controversial 1991 novel american psycho by bret easton ellis, which also inspired a 2000 film of the same name, which starred christian bale. Would rupert goold go about his staging of american psycho with a scalpel and chilling dispassion, or with a chain saw, merrily cracking open the ketchup. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. A film adaptation starring christian bale as bateman was released in 2000 to generally favorable revie.
I am drawn to theatre as an art form of surprise and of provocation, says the almeidas artistic director rupert goold, while backstage at rehearsals for american psycho, the stage adaptation of. Almeida theatre launching the next generation of british. Goold and sheik had a lot to overcome in the sense that the controversial book and film that preceded this. Alison kelly of the observer notes that while some countries deem it so potentially disturbing that it can only be sold shrinkwrapped, critics rave about it and academics revel in its transgressive and postmodern. Orange international, nora ariffin, jam theatricals, almeida theater, center theater group, paula and stephen reynolds, j. A terrific newsday benjamin walker plays patrick bateman in the musical based on bret easton ellis novel, that premiered at the almeida. American psycho transfers to off broadway telegraph. I would hold off on the movie until youve read the book the movie isnt completely horrendous, but its focus is solely on the psycho part. Tristram kentonthe guardian trump was a major figure in the novel of american psycho, which is looking at a period and people.
I had feared in advance that the show might devolve into a blank celebration of lateeighties blankness as per the book but not at all. And now theres american psycho, an energetic stage adaptation of bret easton elliss novel about a soulless yuppie serial killer at large in 1980s manhattan being staged at londons almeida. Alison kelly of the observer notes that while some countries so potentially disturbing that it can only be sold shrinkwrapped, critics rave about it and academics revel in its transgressive and postmodern qualities. The show has a book by roberto aguirresacasa with music and lyrics by duncan sheik and is directed. Its a painful point, well made, but in many ways its an obvious point, and perhaps the biggest weakness of american psycho is that it. Abandon all hope ye who enter here is graffitied across the side of a bank in bloodred paint. Rupert goold takes american psycho to new york the new. Just finished reading american psycho then watched the film.
American psycho ends with an audacious romantic twist not in the original book albeit romance tempered with heavy irony. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading american psycho vintage contemporaries. Matt smith as patrick bateman at the almeida theatre photograph. But privately, patrick indulges in another kind of transgression. American psycho study guide from litcharts the creators of sparknotes. When the show premiered to critical acclaim at londons almeida theatre. Tristram kenton for the guardian its almost impossible to separate american psycho from the reaction to it, and. After american idiot, the stage version of the green day album of the same name, broke new ground for rock musicals based around readymade scores, american psycho is another groundbreaker, both the bold london theatre that is premiering it and for musicals themselves.
Off broadway run of american psycho is dead the new. Comedy of menace maybe, but definitely not comedy of manners. Alison kelly of the observer notes that while some countries deem it so potentially disturbing that it can only be sold shrinkwrapped, critics rave about it and academics revel in its transgressive and. American psycho summary from litcharts the creators of. Then asks without looking over, why arent you wearing the worsted navy blue blazer with the gray pants. Goolds first almeida production as fulltime artistic director was the world premiere production of american psycho. Theater news duncan sheiks american psycho musical aiming for 2016 broadway bow. Following a sellout run in 2017, albion, the telegraphs play of the year returns to the almeida theatre, london. American psycho the musical almeida theatre, london. Matt smith as patrick bateman with the cast of american psycho at the almeida theatre alastair muir on stage, the piece has a sleek eighties sheen, with hitech designs by es devlin that deftly. Almeida stage musical of american psycho to open in new york.
Rupert goold, the almeida theatres artistic director, directs the world premiere of american psycho, a new musical thriller with book by roberto aguirresacasa and. In easton elliss novel the hero, patrick bateman, is a 26yearold wall. Rupert goold, the artistic director of londons almeida theater, talks about how the theater has kept a high profile in the workingclass. The basis of the musical is the 1991 novel american psycho by bret easton ellis. Eric eisenberg like the bret easton ellis book that its based on, the ending of mary harrons american psycho is. The production will run at londons almeida theatre from december 3 to. Matt smith in the almeidas 20 production of american psycho. In american psycho, bret easton ellis imaginatively explores the incomprehensible depths of madness and captures the insanity of violence in our time or any other. Duncan sheiks american psycho musical aiming for 2016. The story is told in the first person by patrick bateman, a serial killer and manhattan investment banker. American psycho is a novel by bret easton ellis, published in 1991. Several of his novels, including american psycho, have been adapted into films. American psycho study guide from litcharts the creators of. Talkback thu 25 jul postshow talk with members of the hunt company.
Bret easton ellis american psycho even people who have never read bret easton ellis american psycho likely do not expect to hear the phrase comedy of manners in reference to it. Traveled down from scotland to try and get tickets for american psycho, queued from 7. American psycho 5 voice stops, he takes in a breath and then quietly says, his eyes fixed on a beggar at the corner of second and fifth, thats the twentyfourth one ive seen today. The books graphic violence provoked extreme reactions when it was published and american psycho was adapted for the screen by mary harron in. Mar 23, 2016 dont make duncan sheik choose between being a recording artist and theatrical composer, especially on the eve of the spring awakening composers new show, american psycho, opening on broadway. Review of american psycho at almeida theatre london theatre. American psycho vintage contemporaries kindle edition by ellis, bret easton. A new musical thriller initially programmed by michael attenborough, which ran from 3 december 20 to 1 february 2014. American psycho features a score by duncan sheik and book by roberto. A scene from rehearsal of broadways american psycho. American psycho vintage contemporaries kindle edition by. Jul 15, 2014 following a successful run at londons almeida theatre, tony awardwinner duncan sheiks musical adaptation of bret easton elliss 1991 novel, american psycho, will transfer to new yorks second. American psycho had its premiere last winter at londons almeida theater, where mr. In hindsight, an american psycho looks a lot like us.
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