After a sell out run on Broadway, it has been announced that Zach Braff’s debut production “All New People” will be hitting The Duke of York Theatre in London’s west end for a 10 week run commencing on the 22nd February. After deciphering through countless reviews, one would suggest that All New People is a black comedy, with emotional undertones.
Charlie (played by Braff) is a 35-year-old man at the end of his tether (or a noose in this case) that decides to kill himself in his friend’s luxury Long Beach apartment. However his suicide attempt is interrupted by a diverse group of strangers, there to view the apartment, who mess up his day. The story tells of how strangers can become close, and of the connections such dissimilar individuals can make.
For it’s UK tour, All New People has an all-new cast, with Braff taking on the lead character of Charlie, whilst Eve Miles (best known for playing Gwyn in Torchwood) and Susannah Fielding (of The Royal Shakespeare Company) take on other roles. After seeing the cast list, it would be fair to say this play promises much. Peter Dubois is also directing, which with his reputation sets my hopes high for a slick, flawless production.
It was hard to find a review from the show’s Broadway run that didn’t relate the play to Garden State, Braff’s debut film as director. However I would argue that one should not go into it with that mindset, as directing theatre is an entirely different process to film, which is perhaps why Braff had Justin Bartha (of the Hangover films) playing the lead on Broadway. However, an actor is always going to be referenced to their previous work, and with Scrubs, Garden State and The High Cost of Living under his belt, Zach Braff couldn’t have a better resume.
The fact that Braff is putting himself in the lead unlike the Broadway production, suggests that he has confidence in his work, which is a good sign of things to come. The website describes this show as “The hottest theatre ticket for 2012”, and I hope it lives up to that claim.
All new people opens in Manchester on February 8th for four nights, before moving up to Glasgow for a further four nights. The play ends its tour in London at the iconic Duke of York’s theatre for a 10 week run commencing February 22nd.
