Dame Maureen Lipman is returning to the West End in the transfer of Martin Sherman’s play Rose.
Rose will play the Ambassadors Theatre in London from 23 May 2023 for 28 performances only, to 18 June 2023.
Originally premiering online and broadcast on Sky Arts, the live production played the Hope Mill Theatre Manchester and the Park Theatre London to great reviews and sold-out houses.
From a tiny Ukrainian village, through the Warsaw ghettos to the boardwalks of Atlantic City, Rose is a timely reminder of some of the harrowing events of the 20th century through a Jewish woman’s eyes. Blending the personal with the political, Rose traces one woman’s story from the devastation of Nazi-ruled Europe to conquering the American dream.
Lipman is Rose – a woman shaped by her history. She offers an intimate and, at times, humorous account of the 20th century, and its complicated heritage. This thought-provoking production acts as a caution, highlighting the importance of unity in the face of adversity, and the need to recognise and empathise with the suffering of others.
Maureen Lipman said in a press statement: “I am delighted to be putting Rose back on her bench for a limited run at the Ambassadors in May. I thought I could never have the power to revisit Martin Sherman’s mystical, magical deeply philosophical and wildly funny creation, but Rose is in my blood and she has to be revived.”
Writer Martin Sherman said: “Maureen Lipman’s performance as Rose is the greatest gift a playwright could ever dream of. Performance is perhaps the wrong word; she totally inhabits the role, the woman, the space, the language, the times, the events. I’m so happy that her astonishing alchemy has the opportunity to be witnessed again, for four weeks (only!) at the Ambassadors Theatre.”
Rose is directed by Scott Le Crass, with design by David Shields, musical composition and sound design by Julian Star, and lighting design by Jane Lalljee.
Rose first premiered at The National Theatre in 1999, where it was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Play.
Dame Maureen Lipman is an acclaimed, award-winning actress known for her numerous roles in theatre, TV and film. On TV she plays Evelyn Plummer in Coronation Street (Best Newcomer at the Inside Soap Award), and her stage credits include Oklahoma!, See How They Run, Live and Kidding, Re:Joice, and A Little Night Music.
Dramatist and screenwriter Martin Sherman has two Tonys, two BAFTAs and two Oliviers – one of which is for Rose. His other works include Bent, which explores the persecution of homosexuals during the Holocaust, Messiah, A MadHouse in Goa, When She Danced, Some Sunny Day, Gently Down The Stream, and Broadway musical The Boy From Oz. His screenplays include Alive and Kicking and Mrs Henderson Presents.
Director Scott Le Crass is an actor and director. Previously he received a Best Director Off West End and Broadway World Director Nomination for his production of Sid and a Best Director Off West End Nomination for Kicked in the Sh**ter.
Currently at the Ambassadors Theatre is My Son’s A Queer, (But What Can You Do?) starring Rob Madge, until 18 March 2023. This is followed by Vardy v Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial, which plays the Ambassadors from 6 April 20 May 2023.
Book tickets to Rose at the Ambassadors Theatre
