I had feared in advance that the show might devolve into a blank celebration of lateeighties blankness as per the book but not at all. In 2008, producers david johnson, jesse singer, nate bolotin and aaron ray purchased the stage rights and were developing a musical adaptation of the novel to appear on broadway. American psycho musical to debut off broadway next year. Matt smith will make his musical theater debut as patrick bateman in an adaptation of american psycho, reports the bbc. The production will run at londons almeida theatre from december 3 to. Duncan sheiks american psycho musical aiming for 2016. American psycho, bret easton ellis american psycho is a novel, by bret easton ellis, published in 1991.
American psycho ends with an audacious romantic twist not in the original book albeit romance tempered with heavy irony. Dont make duncan sheik choose between being a recording artist and theatrical composer, especially on the eve of the spring awakening composers new show, american psycho, opening on broadway. Killer shots of benjamin walker as american psychos. Matt smith as patrick bateman with the cast of american psycho at the almeida theatre alastair muir on stage, the piece has a sleek eighties sheen, with hitech designs by es devlin that deftly.
Bateman, who relays the action of the novel, as well as his innermost thoughts. American psycho, less than zero, the rules of attraction, and the informers, a collection of short stories, have all been made into films. This is the first time any of his novels have been adapted for the stage. Irvine welsh american psycho is a modern classic books. Goolds first almeida production as fulltime artistic director was the world premiere production of american psycho.
American psycho begins with a quote from dantes inferno. It is based on the controversial 1991 novel american psycho by bret easton ellis, which also inspired a 2000 film of the same name, which starred christian bale. A terrific newsday benjamin walker plays patrick bateman in the musical based on bret easton ellis novel, that premiered at the almeida. Goold and sheik had a lot to overcome in the sense that the controversial book and film that preceded this.
Off broadway run of american psycho is dead the new york. Dec 21, 20 and now theres american psycho, an energetic stage adaptation of bret easton elliss novel about a soulless yuppie serial killer at large in 1980s manhattan being staged at londons almeida. Then american psycho is the show for you, bringing the ruthlessness of a serial killer in an orgiastic bloodbath to its depiction of the decade that. Matt smith as patrick bateman at the almeida theatre photograph. Patrick bateman moves among the young and trendy in 1980s manhattan. American psycho the musical almeida theatre, london.
Benjamin walker works to make american psycho sing. Jul 14, 2014 american psycho, the murderous musical that had its world premiere in london last year, has lined up a stateside debut at off broadways second stage theater, where the tuner will have a. Abandon all hope ye who enter here is graffitied across the side of a bank in bloodred paint. Sep 12, 2014 american psycho had its premiere last winter at londons almeida theater, where mr. Review of american psycho at almeida theatre london theatre. In easton elliss novel the hero, patrick bateman, is a 26yearold wall. Theres no heart but lots of blood in american psycho, duncan sheik and roberto aguirresacasas witty musical treatment of the scandalous 1991 novel by bret easton ellis and the sic.
The stars of the american psycho musical slip into character and a few rather dashing outfits that fit the bill american psycho mr porter 0001 the cast of american psycho for mr porter see more. In 2010, it was revealed that the project had rounded out the key elements. And now theres american psycho, an energetic stage adaptation of bret easton elliss novel about a soulless yuppie serial killer at large. Goold, as well as the shows composer, duncan sheik, and book writer, roberto aguirre. Would rupert goold go about his staging of american psycho with a scalpel and chilling dispassion, or with a chain saw, merrily cracking open the ketchup. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading american psycho vintage contemporaries. I love reading, but st like this makes me want to stop reading altogether. In the years since american psycho, he has written several other novels and screenplays, including a film adaptation of his own novel the informers and the 2012 independent film the canyons, which starred lindsay lohan. Talkback thu 25 jul postshow talk with members of the hunt company. American psycho study guide from litcharts the creators of. Its almost impossible to separate american psycho from the reaction to it, and examining those objections helps in discerning the. Thats not because of all that sloppy, sloshy blood, but because of its. American psycho vintage contemporaries kindle edition by. Matt smith plays patrick bateman in a stunning new musical adaptation of brett easton ellis cult novel at the almeida theatre.
Following a successful run at londons almeida theatre, tony awardwinner duncan sheiks musical adaptation of bret easton elliss 1991 novel, american psycho, will transfer to new yorks second. American psycho hits broadway, so smooth, so rich, so ruthless. This musical adaptation of bret easton elliss novel is bloody but vacuous. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Dec, 20 among the multiple achievements of american psycho, any one of which might be enough to make rupert goolds longawaited almeida seasonopener the banner musical of a notably busy year for the form, a particular paradox deserves mention up front. The books graphic violence provoked extreme reactions when it was published and american psycho was adapted for the screen by mary harron in. The musicalthriller is at the almeida theater in londons west end and runs through january 25th. Several of his novels, including american psycho, have been adapted into films. Traveled down from scotland to try and get tickets for american psycho, queued from 7.
Jointly presented by the almeida, headlong and act 4 entertainment. Alison kelly of the observer notes that while some countries so potentially disturbing that it can only be sold shrinkwrapped, critics rave about it and academics revel in its transgressive and postmodern qualities. Jun 17, 2019 almeida rush almeida rush allows audiences to book last minute tickets to popular almeida shows each week. In his original incarnation, patrick bateman is literally deadly dull. Almeida stage musical of american psycho to open in new york.
American psycho musical looks like a bloody hit cbs news. Mar 24, 2016 matt smith as patrick bateman at the almeida theatre photograph. By turns devastating and quickwitted, scintillating yet unexpectedly moving, the piece raises all sorts of hopes for goolds embyronic almeida tenure and far more. The story is told in the first person by patrick bateman, a serial killer and manhattan investment banker. The reader is introduced to the novels narrator, patrick bateman, a 27yearold wall street investment banker. And now theres american psycho, an energetic stage adaptation of bret easton elliss novel about a soulless yuppie serial killer at large in 1980s manhattan being staged at londons almeida. American psycho starring matt smith duncan sheik and robert aguirresacasas musical version of the bret easton ellis serialkiller tale has plenty of style but little. American psycho is a musical with music and lyrics by duncan sheik and a book by roberto aguirresacasa. American psycho vintage contemporaries kindle edition by ellis, bret easton.
The almeida theatre and headlongs newest musical american psycho is a perfect example of the emperors new clothes syndrome, where audiences are made to feel so lucky that they actually secured a ticket, they then feel compelled to enjoy it. American psycho is a novel by bret easton ellis, published in 1991. Alison kelly of the observer notes that while some countries deem it so potentially disturbing that it can only be sold shrinkwrapped, critics rave about it and academics revel in its transgressive and. Jul 14, 2014 patrick bateman is snaking back to new york. Set in manhattan during the wall street boom of the late 1980s, american psycho follows the life of wealthy young investment banker patrick. A scene from rehearsal of broadways american psycho.
From left, matt smith, as patrick bateman, and ben aldridge in american psycho at the almeida theater in london. Jul 23, 2015 the musical american psycho, based on the novel, is due on broadway next year. However i feel that in the last few years, via youtube clips and gifs, the internet has propagated this idea that patrick bateman is some sort of hilarious, anticonformity, antihero. A film adaptation starring christian bale as bateman was released in 2000 to generally favorable revie. Smiths rousing final number, this is not an exit, warns us that his. Tristram kentonthe guardian trump was a major figure in the novel of american psycho, which is looking at a period and people. American psycho is produced in collaboration with his headlong theatre company which goold leaves in august 20 after eight years as artistic director to take up the reigns at the 325seat islington theatre, succeeding michael attenborough. Bret easton ellis american psycho even people who have never read bret easton ellis american psycho likely do not expect to hear the phrase comedy of manners in reference to it. Eric eisenberg like the bret easton ellis book that its based on, the ending of mary harrons american psycho is. Matt smith in the almeidas 20 production of american psycho. American psycho transfers to off broadway telegraph. Book by roberto aguirresacasa music and lyrics by duncan sheik.
American psycho to debut in new york westendtheatre. I am drawn to theatre as an art form of surprise and of provocation, says the almeidas artistic director rupert goold, while backstage at rehearsals for american psycho, the stage adaptation of. Outgoing doctor who matt smith to appear in american psycho. Following a sellout run in 2017, albion, the telegraphs play of the year returns to the almeida theatre, london. American psycho at almeida theatre islington london. When the show premiered to critical acclaim at londons almeida theatre. American psycho musical will slay off broadway next year. In hindsight, an american psycho looks a lot like us. The story is told in the first person by patrick bateman, a serial killer and manhattan businessman. Its a painful point, well made, but in many ways its an obvious point, and perhaps the biggest weakness of american psycho is that it.
Theater news duncan sheiks american psycho musical to see american premiere at second stage. Just finished reading american psycho then watched the film. I would hold off on the movie until youve read the book the movie isnt completely horrendous, but its focus is solely on the psycho part. Jul 15, 2014 following a successful run at londons almeida theatre, tony awardwinner duncan sheiks musical adaptation of bret easton elliss 1991 novel, american psycho, will transfer to new yorks second. Sheik pens the score, with playwright roberto aguirresacasa penning the book. Its a painful point, well made, but in many ways its an obvious point, and perhaps the biggest weakness of american psycho is that it pretty much shows its entire hand within the first. Comedy of menace maybe, but definitely not comedy of manners. Mar 23, 2016 dont make duncan sheik choose between being a recording artist and theatrical composer, especially on the eve of the spring awakening composers new show, american psycho, opening on broadway. Then asks without looking over, why arent you wearing the worsted navy blue blazer with the gray pants. But privately, patrick indulges in another kind of transgression. The musical premiered at the almeida theatre, london in december 20. Duncan sheiks american psycho musical to see american.
Alison kelly of the observer notes that while some countries deem it so potentially disturbing that it can only be sold shrinkwrapped, critics rave about it and academics revel in its transgressive and postmodern. Matt smith in the almeida s 20 production of american psycho. After american idiot, the stage version of the green day album of the same name, broke new ground for rock musicals based around readymade scores, american psycho is another groundbreaker, both the bold london theatre that is premiering it and for musicals themselves. Rupert goold, the almeida theatres artistic director, directs the world premiere of american psycho, a new musical thriller with book by roberto aguirresacasa and. The almeida theatre, london exists to launch the next generation of british artists onto the world stage. American psycho almeida matt smith plays patrick bateman in a stunning new musical adaptation of brett easton ellis cult novel at the almeida theatre. American psycho musical coming to off broadway the new. The basis of the musical is the 1991 novel american psycho by bret easton ellis. American psycho had its premiere last winter at londons almeida theater, where mr. American psycho summary from litcharts the creators of. Tristram kenton for the guardian its almost impossible to separate american psycho from the reaction to it, and.
A new musical thriller initially programmed by michael attenborough, which ran from 3 december 20 to 1 february 2014. Rupert goold takes american psycho to new york the new. A musical version of bret easton elliss gruesome cult novel american psycho sounds like the punchline of a sick joke. And if you like american psycho, try tom wolfes bonfire of the vanities also a pretty bad movie, but the two books together kind of plumb the depths of the 80s. Rupert goold, the artistic director of londons almeida theater, talks about how the theater has kept a high profile in the workingclass.
His life is hollow, defined by designer clothes, exclusive restaurants and elaborate personal grooming routines all described in excruciatingly banal detail. He and his entourage buy the most expensive designer clothes, eat at the most exclusive restaurants and party at the hottest clubs. Off broadway run of american psycho is dead the new. Theater news duncan sheiks american psycho musical aiming for 2016 broadway bow. Almeida theatre launching the next generation of british.
The show has a book by roberto aguirresacasa with music and lyrics by duncan sheik and is directed. In american psycho, bret easton ellis imaginatively explores the incomprehensible depths of madness and captures the insanity of violence in our time or any other. I thought it was kinda odd, since my theory isnt very. Living the high life in 1980s manhattan, patrick bateman has it all looks, money, style and status. The almeida theatre and headlongs newest musical american psycho is a perfect example of the emperors new clothes syndrome, where audiences are made to feel so lucky that they actually secured a ticket, they then feel compelled to enjoy it and find themselves swept away unnecessarily. The term almeida theatre andor american psycho the musical as well as all associated graphics, logos, andor other trademarks, tradenames or s are the property of the almeida theatre andor american psycho the musical and are used herein for factual descriptive purposes only. American psycho study guide from litcharts the creators. American psycho features a score by duncan sheik and book by roberto. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The investment bankercumserial killer at the center of bret easton elliss 1991 novel, american psycho, will be singing and dancing amid spatters of blood in a musical adaptation at second stage theater starting in february, executives there announced monday. Orange international, nora ariffin, jam theatricals, almeida theater, center theater group, paula and stephen reynolds, j. American psycho 5 voice stops, he takes in a breath and then quietly says, his eyes fixed on a beggar at the corner of second and fifth, thats the twentyfourth one ive seen today.
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