Packaging You will need to pack your bags for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’s stage show. This play is based upon the novel by Judi Dench. Maggie Smith stars as the formidable heroine.
When Deborah Moggach’s novel These Foolish Things was published 17 years ago, it featured the story of British retirees who were lured by the warm climes of Bangalore.
And the film version, directed by John Madden, took more than £120 million at the box office when it was released in 2012 — raking in even more than that in video sales.
You’ll need to pack your bag for this stage production based upon the novel that inspired the film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Maggie Smith (pictured) is also involved.
Deborah Moggach, pictured (pictured), published These Foolish Things in 1997. It was the story of British retired people living in Bangalore.
The film version, directed by John Madden and starring Maggie Smith (pictured), took more than £120 million at the box office when it was released in 2012
Moggach said she had adapted her novel into a play that will be presented at Richmond Theatre starting August 30, for a run of two weeks. The drama will continue to tour across the UK until 2023 before moving on to London’s West End.
Und she stated that it was a pleasure to revisit the characters she made: Seven retirees who had been transferred from Home Counties into a Karnataka hotel owned by Sonny Kapoor, aspiring entrepreneur (Dev Patel).
She said that she felt like they were waiting for their time on the stage. It will be interesting to see what we cast.
Simon Friend and Moggach both stated that The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel will only be based on the book.
Key characters for the show will include Evelyn, a retired librarian, and Muriel, a book-keeper — Dench and Smith in the movie.
Both versions of Moggoch’s tale — page and screen — prompted a sea-change in attitudes ‘to what we call old people’, Moggach noted.
Moggach, (pictured), said she had transformed her book into a dramatic play that will debut at Richmond Theatre on August 30, and continue throughout the UK until 2023.
It was a pleasure to revisit the characters she had created, seven retired people who were transferred from the Home Counties into a Karnataka hotel. Pictured as Evelyn by Judi Dench
Key characters for the show will include Evelyn (pictured), a retired librarian, and Muriel, a book-keeper — Dench and Smith in the movie
According to her, “old people don’t get old… they’re just the same as always!” The only difference is that we have more wrinkles. While I may be 73, I really feel like 34.
She said that the core of the story was about “living rather than dying” and how to make the best out of life, if one is willing.
Producer Friend claimed that Moggach’s play had been read and cast is now underway.
There is also an agreement with 20th Century Studios regarding the use of the Exotic Marigold Hotel name for the show instead of These Foolish Things like the book.
TOP GUN TOM IS SET FOR TAKE OFF
Tom Cruise gave his parting gift of Maverick, his Top Gun sequel to Mission: Impossible 7, to the cast and crew.
It is not easy for film crews to enjoy movies. I was surprised by some of the positive comments I received from a few technicians on set of another film being shot in Hertfordshire.
Tom Cruise presented a parting gift to his Mission: Impossible 7 cast members and crew. He screened his Top Gun sequel Maverick. (pictured).
Top Gun Maverick, according to them is an “exciting adventure”.
I look forward to seeing it early next year — and MI7 next September.
MI8 will be filming by then.
WATCHOUT FOR…
Emma Williams, who will appear in cabaret on the Hippodrome Casino December 7th
Four times nominated by Olivier Awards for the roles she played in Love Story, Zorro and Mrs Henderson Presents, this actress will be performing excerpts from these and other musicals.
Emma and I were first introduced to each other when Emma won Truly Scrumptious with Michael Ball at Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in the London Palladium.
Agatha Christie’s mystery The Mousetrap enters its 70th anniversary in the West End.
It is currently running at St Martin’s Theatre. The play opened at Ambassadors Theatre on November 25, 1952. Richard Attenborough was the star and Sheila Sim the supporting roles.