FARINELLI AND THE KING, Starring Mark Rylance, Eyes Broadway, Big Screen

FARINELLI AND THE KING, which just finished a West End run this autumn after originating at Shakespeare's Globe, has set its sights on New York City. No official word on whether the play will grace Broadway or another stage in the city.

The Daily Mail writes that Mark Rylance, who starred as King Philippe V of Spain in the play by his wife, Claire van Kampen, will travel with the production when it opens in November.

Not only that, but van Kampen also told the Mail she is adapting her piece for the big screen. Steven Spielberg, who saw the show in London and just worked with Rylance on the movie adaptation of THE BFG, is "mentoring" van Kampen on her screenplay. The film is aiming for a debut within the next two or three years.

John Dove directed Sonia Friedman Productions' FARINELLI AND THE KING at Shakespeare's Globe and at the Duke of York's Theatre, with designs by Jonathan Fensom, and live Baroque music led by harpsichordist and musical director Robert Howarth. Sam Crane played the acting role of Farinelli, with the singing role portrayed by rising opera stars Lestyn Davies and Rupert Enticknap. Also in the cast were Huss Garbiya as Doctor Jose Cervi, Melody Grove as Isabella Farnese, Colin Hurley as Metastasio and Edward Peel as De la Cuadra.

Aside from Rylance, no other casting for the NYC transfer has been confirmed.

Set in eighteenth-century Spain, Claire van Kampen's moving and mesmerizing new play tells the intriguing true story of Farinelli, once the world's most famous castrato and one of the greatest celebrities of his time, and his decision to trade fame and fortune in the opera-houses of Europe for a life of servitude at the court of King Philippe V. This enchanting new play explores the dynamics between Farinelli and the royal couple, featuring many of the exquisite arias first sung by Farinelli in the 1730s.

Rylance will take the stage next month at St. Ann's Warehouse in NICE FISH. He last starred on Broadway in TWELFTH NIGHT, for which he won a 2014 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play, and before that in RICHARD III, JERUSALEM (another Tony win), LA BETE and BOEING-BOEING (his first Tony Award for Best Actor). The actor was just nominated for an Oscar for his performance in the film BRIDGE OF SPIES.

Photo Credit: Roy Tan