Latest news with #HughLaurie
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Wodehouse in Wonderland review – less than spiffing portrait of the artist as a light comedian
Robert Daws has lots of previous form on PG Wodehouse: he has played in various Jeeves and Woosters through the ages, with Hugh Laurie, Stephen Mangan and Ian Carmichael. So he is steeped in Wodehouse's wonderland. That shows in his ease with this one-man play about the comic writer. He is a natural as 'Plum', the affectionate name that Wodehouse went by. Premiering as a touring show some years ago, and directed by Robin Herford, it is well oiled enough if wooden and unadventurous in its storytelling. It is the 1950s, Wodehouse is in his New York state home, writing another Jeeves and Wooster book. Wodehouse's wife Ethel ('Bunny') occasionally asks for a drink as an off-stage voice, while he writes letters to his beloved daughter 'Snorkles' (his affectionate name for Leonora). That serves as a plodding form of exposition and backstory in William Humble's script, although Wodehouse tells us himself that he is not one for deep thinking so we do not get much of his inner world. There is a further framing device in the shape of an American biographer who wants to write Wodehouse's life story – he functions as another listener to whom Wodehouse can narrate his life and thoughts. The humour is lukewarm and predictable, with many spiffings, top-holes and cricketing metaphors for good measure. Occasionally, he sings. You certainly learn things about Wodehouse's world but he does not turn into flesh and blood. The play becomes more interesting when it touches on Wodehouse's controversial speeches in the second world war, recorded by the Nazis to be broadcast in the US. They followed his year-long internment and were taken in Britain as a sign of his complicity. It veers into darker territory still when we hear about his daughter's fate. But just as Wodehouse does not like depth, so this comes too late and is too quickly smoothed over. It makes for an anodyne drama with not nearly enough comic bite. At Assembly George Square Studios, Edinburgh, until 24 August All our Edinburgh festival reviews
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Hugh Laurie leads a host of award-winning stars in Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions
Actor Hugh Laurie will star as Dumbledore in Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions which will be release by Pottermore Publishing and Audible in November. These brand-new productions of the original seven stories by J.K. Rowling will also star Golden Globe and BAFTA Award winner Matthew Macfadyen as Lord Voldemort Academy Award winner and Emmy Award winner Riz Ahmed as Professor Snape BAFTA Award nominee Michelle Gomez as Professor McGonagall. Laurie said he was thrilled to be 'trusted with the keys to Albus Dumbledore'. 'I'm also deeply conscious of previous drivers Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, Jude Law and the iconic narrations by Jim Dale and m'colleague Sir Stephen Fry,' Laurie said. 'Just below the horizon, but headed our way, is the rough beast John Lithgow, his hour come round at last. This is great company, and it's a privilege to be among their number.' Frankie Treadaway, Max Lester, and Arabella Stanton will play Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, respectively, in the first three audiobooks. They will be followed by Jaxon Knopf, Rhys Mulligan, and Nina Barker-Francis as Harry, Ron, and Hermione starting in audiobook four and onto the epic conclusion. These brand-new productions complement the single-voice English language recordings by Jim Dale and Stephen Fry which have delighted audiences since they were first released in 1999. Since launching on Audible in 2015 there have generated 1.8 billion global listening hours. The new recordings will include high-quality sound, scoring, A-list performers, original music, and real-world sound capture. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone will debut on November 4.
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Hugh Laurie and Matthew Macfadyen to star in Harry Potter audiobook series
Hugh Laurie and Matthew Macfadyen to star in Harry Potter audiobook series The stars are among 200 actors lending their voices to bring to life the characters from JK Rowling's wizarding world for an immersive audio series, Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions. Hugh Laurie has had a hugely successful acting career (Image: PA) Actor and comedian Hugh Laurie and Succession star Matthew Macfadyen are to star in a brand new full-cast Harry Potter audiobook series. The stars are among 200 actors lending their voices to bring to life the characters from JK Rowling's wizarding world for an immersive audio series, Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions. Laurie, best known for starring in the medical drama series House, has been cast as Hogwarts Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, while Macfadyen will voice antagonist Lord Voldemort. Laurie said: "I'm honoured to have been trusted with the keys to Albus Dumbledore, and thrilled to be able to take him around the track of this beautiful incarnation by Pottermore and Audible. "I'm also deeply conscious of previous drivers Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, Jude Law and the iconic narrations by Jim Dale and m'colleague Sir Stephen Fry. Just below the horizon, but headed our way, is the rough beast John Lithgow, his hour come round at last. This is great company, and it's a privilege to be among their number." The novels have previously been produced into single-voice recordings by Jim Dale and Stephen Fry. Produced by Audible and Pottermore Publishing, the new audiobook series will include a full cast, original music and real-world sound capture to create an immersive audio experience. Emmy award-winning actor, Riz Ahmed, also joins the cast as Professor Snape alongside Scottish actress Michelle Gomez who will voice Professor McGonagall and Cush Jumbo as the narrator. Rachel Ghiazza, chief content officer at Audible, said: "Magic is coming alive as these brilliant actors lift iconic characters off the page and into our ears. "Hearing these spellbinding performances in our state-of-the-art studios has been nothing short of extraordinary. We're overjoyed to share that fans of all ages can now mark their autumn calendars for a truly breathtaking experience with Audible and Pottermore Publishing – one that promises to reignite the magic for longtime fans and captivate a whole new generation of listeners." Newcomers Frankie Treadaway, Max Lester, and Arabella Stanton will play Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger respectively in audiobooks one, two and three. From audiobook four through to the last book in the series, the three protagonists will be played by Jaxon Knopf, Rhys Mulligan, and Nina Barker-Francis (Harry, Ron, and Hermione respectively). It comes after production for the new HBO TV adaptation of the popular fantasy novels began earlier this summer. Each season of the show will be a faithful adaptation of the Harry Potter books, from author and executive producer JK Rowling. The novels had already been made into movies with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint playing the trio. The first of the seven audiobooks, Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, will be released on November 4 followed by Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets on December 16. The remaining books will be released monthly in the new year starting with Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban on January 13 2026, Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire on February 10, and Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix on March 10. Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince will be out on April 14 with the final book of the series, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, scheduled to be released on May 12. Article continues below Additional cast members will be announced this autumn.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Riz Ahmed to voice Snape in new Harry Potter audiobook, Hugh Laurie to voice Albus Dumbledore
A-listers Hugh Laurie, Matthew Macfadyen and Riz Ahmed have been roped in to voice popular characters Albus Dumbledore, Lord Voldemort and Professor Severus Snape in Harry Potter audiobooks. A collaboration with Pottermore Publishing and Audible, the voice cast also includes Michelle Gomez as Professor McGonagall and Cush Jumbo as the narrator. Frankie Treadaway, Max Lester, and Arabella Stanton will play Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, respectively, in the first three audiobooks. The three characters will later be voiced by Jaxon Knopf, Rhys Mulligan, and Nina Barker-Francis in the last four audiobooks. The Harry Potter audiobooks will be released on the platform with an original score and real-world sound capture, according to a press release. With over 200 actors, the series will be announcing additional cast members in the upcoming Ghiazza, Chief Content Officer at Audible, said, 'Magic is coming alive as these brilliant actors lift iconic characters off the page and into our ears. Hearing these spellbinding performances in our state-of-the-art studios has been nothing short of extraordinary.' Neil Blair, Chairman of Pottermore Publishing, said they cannot wait for a new generation of children around the world to discover the stories in an exciting new way. ALSO READ: HBO drops first glimpse of Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter; series begins filming 'We're thrilled to be partnering with Audible to reimagine the Harry Potter stories through this groundbreaking full-cast audio experience. J.K. Rowling's rich, immersive world is perfectly suited to this next evolution in audiobook storytelling,' Blair said. The first book of the series, 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone', is set to debut on November 4. The series is also coming alive once again on screen in the form of an upcoming HBO show.
Perth Now
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
REVEALED: All-star cast of new Harry Potter audio series
Listen to a sneak peek of Audible's new Harry Potter audiobook series. Fans of the Harry Potter book and film series will soon be treated to a large scale audio production of all seven books, starring British actors Hugh Laurie as Dumbledore and Matthew MacFadyen as Voldemort. A collaboration between Audible and Pottermore Publishing, Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions will feature 200 actors and is considered to be 'the most ambitious audiobook cast ever assembled'. The famed stories, penned by renowned author J.K. Rowling, will come to life through high-quality Dolby Atmos sound design, original music, and the A-list cast. Among the star-studded line-up are Academy Award winner Riz Ahmed as Professor Snape, BAFTA nominee Michelle Gomez as Professor McGonagall, and Cush Jumbo OBE as the narrator. Playing the popular trio of young wizards will be Frankie Treadaway as Harry Potter, Max Lester as Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, who will all feature in audiobooks 1-3 before being replaced by more mature voices. Cast members of the latest Harry Potter audiobook production have been announced. Credit: Audible / Pottermore Publishing Stanton's connection to the Potter juggernaut is only set to rise, following her casting as Hermione in the forthcoming HBO TV series, which began filming in July. The TV reboot also features established actors John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Nick Frost as Hagrid, and Anton Lesser as Ollivander. Industry veteran Laurie, known for his work in TV's House, and Blackadder, said he was grateful to be playing such an iconic character, albeit that will not appear on screen. 'I'm honoured to have been trusted with the keys to Albus Dumbledore, and thrilled to be able to take him around the track of this beautiful incarnation by Pottermore and Audible,' he said. 'I'm also deeply conscious of previous drivers Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, Jude Law and the iconic narrations by Jim Dale and my colleague Sir Stephen Fry. Just below the horizon, but headed our way, is the rough beast John Lithgow, his hour come round at last. 'This is great company, and it's a privilege to be among their number.' Hugh Laurie will voice Albus Dumbledore. Credit: Steffan Hill / BBC/The Forge/Steffan Hill As referenced by Laurie, the newest iteration of audiobooks follows the original single-voice narrations by Jim Dale and Stephen Fry, which were first released in 1999. Since being made available on Audible in 2015, the classic recordings have amassed an unprecedented 1.8 billion global listening hours on the platform. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone will naturally be the first audiobook released of the newest batch, scheduled for November 4, with each proceeding story to follow at monthly intervals. Further cast members will be announced in the coming months.
