An Evening with Lucian Freud

An Evening with Lucian Freud is a 2015 play written by Laura-Jane Foley.[1] It is a one-woman show with video cameos based on a real life encounter the playwright had with the artist Lucian Freud. The play made its world premiere on 19 May 2015 at the West End's Leicester Square Theatre where it ran until 6 June 2015.[2]

An Evening with Lucian Freud
Written byLaura-Jane Foley
Date premiered19 May 2015 (2015-05-19)
Place premieredLeicester Square Theatre
GenreDrama

Synopsis

The play is based on a real life encounter the playwright Laura-Jane Foley had with the artist Lucian Freud.[3] In the 65-minute one-act play with video cameos, the character Laura recounts the evening she spent with the 82-year-old artist. The narrative is broken up with five video cameos from characters including Dora Maar and Leigh Bowery.[4]

Original West End Production

Casting for the play took place in April 2015,[5] and was formally announced on Twitter on 22 April.[6][7] Cressida Bonas was cast as Laura. The play also featured video cameo appearances from Maureen Lipman,[8] Alastair Stewart, Laura-Jane Foley, Russell Grant, Shana Swash and Benjamin Ramm.[9] The play was produced by Wonderful Artful Theatre and was directed by Ella Marchment and designed by Lily German.[10] The Evening Standard announced that filming for the video cameos took place on 11 May.[11] The play ran at the Leicester Square Theatre. The opening night was 19 May and the play ended on 6 June.[12]

Press Attention

Prior to Press Night there had been a lot of press interest due to the casting of Cressida Bonas in her first major theatrical role.[13] Details of the play were not released prior to the opening and due to the libidinous reputation of the eponymous Lucian Freud, there was much speculation in the press about the nature of the production.[14] The Evening Standard wrongly stated that the play "features explicit sex scenes".[15] The play and Bonas's portrayal of the playwright were widely termed 'fascinating' and 'charming'. [16][17] [18][19] Jane Shilling in The Daily Telegraph praised the "charm and energy of Bonas’s performance'.[20]

Principal roles and original cast
Character Original West End performer
Laura Cressida Bonas
Dora Maar Maureen Lipman
Leigh Bowery Russell Grant
Model 1 Laura-Jane Foley
Model 2 Shana Swash
Presenter Alastair Stewart
Lucian Freud Benjamin Ramm

References
  1. "Harry's ex to star in Lucian Freud play - The Sunday Times". thesundaytimes.co.uk.
  2. "Wonderful Artful Theatre Company". Wonderful Artful Theatre Company.
  3. "Playdead Press: Our Publications". playdeadpress.com.
  4. "West End Wilma – An Evening with Lucian Freud – Leicester Square Theatre Lounge". westendwilma.com.
  5. @WonderfulArtful (18 April 2015). "We are very excited; casting is in place for 'An Evening with Lucian Freud' and an announcement will be made this week! #LucianFreudPlay" (Tweet). Retrieved 23 July 2015 – via Twitter.
  6. @WonderfulArtful (22 April 2015). "CASTING REVEALED - 'An Evening with Lucian Freud' opens 19th May @lsqtheatre Book now! 0207 734 2222 #LucianFreudPlay" (Tweet). Retweeted by Shana Swash. Retrieved 23 July 2015 – via Twitter.
  7. Editorial Staff (22 April 2015). "Cressida Bonas stars in one-woman play about Lucian Freud". WhatsOnStage.com.
  8. "A Precarious Profession - Standpoint". standpointmag.co.uk.
  9. "An Evening With Lucian Freud - May 21, 2015 - Leicester Square Theatre, London - Listings - The Stage". thestage.co.uk.
  10. Artlyst. "Lucian Freud: The Artist Examined in New Play". Artlyst London.
  11. "Londoner's Diary: Liz Kendall would be a breath of fresh air for Labour". Evening Standard.
  12. "An Evening with Lucian Freud, Leicester Square - Culture Whisper". Culture Whisper.
  13. "An Evening With Lucian Freud Pictures". gettyimages.co.uk.
  14. "Cressida Bonas Will Appear Naked Onstage With 'Sexual Abandon' In New One-Woman Play; Will Prince Harry Sit Front Row?". Fashion & Style. Archived from the original on 23 July 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  15. "Cressida Bonas's family turn out to support her on first night of Lucian Freud play". Evening Standard.
  16. Eva Draper-Oatley. "An Evening With Lucian Freud". Platform505. Archived from the original on 23 July 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  17. Tal Fox. "Review: An Evening with Lucian Freud, Leicester Square Theatre". A Younger Theatre.
  18. Lily Middleton (25 May 2015). "An Evening with Lucian Freud, Leicester Square Theatre – Review". everything-theatre.co.uk.
  19. "AN EVENING WITH LUCIAN FREUD REVIEW". Family Affairs and other matters.
  20. Jane Shilling (19 May 2015). "An Evening with Lucian Freud, Leicester Square Theatre, review: ' - Telegraph". Telegraph.co.uk.
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