Once Gemma Arterton had read the script for the film Summerland she didn’t have far to go to discuss the project.
The actress lives just around the corner from playwright, filmmaker and director Jessica Swale, who wrote the wartime story of Alice Lamb, a cantankerous scholar who lives alone in a wooden cottage, perched on a cliff on the South East coast, and who reluctantly takes in Frank, a schoolboy evacuee from London.
Initially, Arterton read the screenplay without any notion of starring in it, said Swale. The actress had intended to offer to get involved as a producer. Soon, however, Swale was rewriting the Alice role for her neighbour to play.
Gemma Arterton (right) stars in ‘Summerland’ along-side Gugu Mbatha-raw (left) as a a cantankerous scholar who lives alone in a wooden cottage, perched on a cliff on the South East coast who reluctantly takes in a schoolboy evacuee from London
The pair have been frequent collaborators. Arterton took the title role in Swale’s play Nell Gwynn at Shakespeare’s Globe.
When the show moved to the West End, Gugu Mbatha-Raw took over that part. And at the heart of Summerland is a friendship, much of it in flashback, between Alice and Vera, who is played by Mbatha-Raw.
I remember Arterton telling me I was going to love Summerland. And she was right. It’s a rare treat from BBC Films and the BFI, opening in cinemas next Friday.
Arterton (right) initially read the screenplay for the movie without any notion of starring in it, however the director Jessica Swale (left) who is also Arterton’s neighbour, was soon rewriting Alice to be played by Arterton
Gemma Arterton, left, portraying Alice Lamb in Summerland, a cantankerous scholar who takes in a London schoolboy evacuee named Frank, portrayed by Lucas Bond (right)
There are several non-Caucasian actors in the film and I was struck by how Swale has managed to make her casting feel organic, not contrived. Swale said she feels passionately that ‘diversity should be woven into the seams of movies’, and not always the focus.
She wanted Gugu, for instance, in the role of Vera, because she has a ‘sparkle’ when she arrives on the screen.
Just as good is young actor Lucas Bond, as Frank, who meets cynical Alice — regarded by locals as a witch because she studies pagan myths — and ends up opening her eyes, and her heart.
Arterton and Swale (pictured together on set of Summerland) have been frequent collaborators. Arterton took the title role in Swale’s play Nell Gwynn at Shakespeare’s Globe
During the lockdown, Swale (left) and Arterton (right) have been doing a lot of collaborating
During the lockdown, Swale and Arterton have been doing a lot of collaborating, working on a TV series which they will co-write, with Arterton to star.
Swale has other projects, too, including an adaptation of Nell Gwynn for Working Title Films and a version of Persuasion for Searchlight.
After she started writing Summerland, her father was diagnosed with a terminal illness.
‘He stopped wanting to watch films which were in any way morbid, and I made it my mission to make movies that people like my dad would enjoy . . . films for people who need a little bit of hope, of love and light and laughter.’
Her father died before seeing Summerland. But Swale told me: ‘He will always be there in everything that I do.’
Save the heart of our theatres
Michael Grandage, a former artistic chief of both the Donmar Warehouse and Sheffield Theatres, and director of the eagerly awaited Frozen musical, has spoken of his concern that the £1.57 billion arts rescue package will save buildings, but not the people who work in them.
Michael Grandage (pictured), a former artistic chief of both the Donmar Warehouse and Sheffield Theatres has spoken of his concern that the £1.57 billion arts recue package will not be enough to save jobs
While he praised the Government’s aid package, Grandage told me: ‘I worry that while you can do theatre without buildings, you can’t do it without artists.’
He was speaking of the thousands of actors, directors, playwrights, designers, choreographers and back-stage specialists, who are mainly freelancers. ‘I’m talking to people on a daily basis, and right now they have absolutely no income — none,’ he told me.
It’s true that some have found other employment. Making masks; working in supermarkets; delivering post, food and other goods … or even sweeping streets. A few have found jobs in pubs, bars and restaurants that have reopened, but vacancies are scarce.
He added: ‘If it goes on too long, those people can’t hang around, expecting to come back to the profession.’ He also agreed that regional theatres must be saved ‘because they’re places where communities gather’. ‘But for God’s sake let’s look after the people who come in and work there as well.’
It’ll be nice to have her back where she belongs! Imelda Staunton has reassured friends and colleagues that she’s going to perform in the musical Hello, Dolly! in the West End in late 2022, after she has portrayed the Queen in Netflix’s The Crown. ‘I’ve learnt it now,’ she tells those who dare to ask, following the show’s pandemic postponement. You’re lookin’ swell, Imelda.
Watch out for…
Tyrone Huntley (right) and Ricardo Afonso (far right), two of the best stage vocalists in the West End, who will share the role of Judas in the Open Air Theatre production of Jesus Christ Superstar, which will be returning to Regent’s Park for 70 performances, over six weeks, from August 14.
The show, which marks the reopening of the much- loved venue, will be staged by director Timothy Sheader and choreographer Drew McOnie under physically distanced conditions, on stage and off, using Covid-19 health protocols.
Huntley was lauded for his performance as Judas when the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical was produced at the Open Air two years ago. Declan Bennett and Pepe Nufrio will share the part of Jesus.
Ones to watch: Tyrone Huntley (left) and Ricardo Afonso (right), two of the best stage vocalists in the West End, who will share the role of Judas in the Open Air Theatre production of Jesus Christ Superstar
Meanwhile, Maimuna Memon and Anoushka Lucas will play Mary.
Also joining in the Superstar concert in principal parts are David Thaxton (Pilate), Shaq Taylor (Herod), Ivan De Freitas (Caiaphas), Nathan Amzi (Annas), Phil King (Peter), Cedric Neal (Simon), and Genesis Lynea, Rosa O’Reilly, Elliotte Williams-N’Dure as the Soul Singers.
Others rocking up at the Oper Air Theatre in a variety of roles, including Jesus’s apostles and followers, are: Daniel Bailey, Dale Evans, Rosie Fletcher, Josh Hawkins, Stevie Hutchinson, Billy Nevers, Charlotte Riby, Tinovimbanashe Sibanda, Barnaby Thompson and Tara Young.
This is, clearly, an eagerly awaited production, with two-thirds of tickets sold already for the pop-rock classic.
The open Air Theatre production of Jesus Christ Superstar will be returning to Regent’s Park for 70 performances, over six weeks, from August 14. Pictured: Tyrone Huntley (left) and Ricardo Afonso (right) during rehearsals
Anoushka Lucas, pictured above, will be one of the actresses to play Mary in the production. The other is Maimuna Memon
I do hope Lloyd Webber attends a performance. He deserves a standing ovation from the audience. He and his team at LW Theatres (big shout out to Madeleine Lloyd Webber and Rebecca Kane Burton) have led the way in experimenting with COVID-19 proof protocol innovations for theatres.
Lloyd Webber intends to share plans with the theatre industry here and abroad.
The pandemic has shone a spotlight on those who have stepped up to help provide a future for theatre, while others have skulked off and done nothing but whine .
I have kept a little list!