Spacey Announces 'DESIGN,' 'FLEA,' 'CELEBRE' for Old Vic in 2010-2011

Confirming speculation previously reported by BroadwayWorld, the Old Vic today announced three new productions today, marking the seventh season of work under Kevin Spacey's tenure as Artistic Director. This new season continues The Old Vic's tradition as a great actors' theatre, championing both established and young talent under the guidance of some of the greatest theatre directors in Britain.

In September, Anthony Page will direct Noe?l Coward's provocative and unconventional romantic comedy, Design For Living, for the first time on the London stage in over 15 years. Coward focuses on three egotistical, beguiling and self-absorbed characters - Gilda, Otto, and Leo - who challenge the moral boundaries of relationships. Anthony Page's production for The Old Vic will star Tom Burke,?Lisa Dillon and AnDrew Scott. Design For Living is a co-production with Nica Burns and Max Weitzenhoffer.

In December, Richard Eyre will direct John Mortimer's version of Georges Feydeau's 1907 classic farce A Flea In Her Ear, last performed on The Old Vic stage for the National Theatre in 1966. Starring Tom Hollander and Lisa Dillon, A Flea In Her Ear, is a comedy of errors set against a backdrop of jealousy, misunderstandings and confrontation. When Raymonde (Dillon) suspects her husband Victor (Hollander) of infidelity, she enlists the help of a friend to set a trap resulting in mistaken identities, bruised egos and comic disaster. A Flea In Her Ear is a co-production with Sonia Friedman Productions.

Terence Rattigan's final play Cause Celebre will be staged at The Old Vic in March 2011, celebrating the centenary of his birth. Directed by Thea Sharrock, Cause Celebre is based on the true story of Alma Rattenbury who went on trial with her 18-year-old lover for the murder of her husband. Condemned by the public more for her seduction of a young boy than for any involvement she may have had in her husband's death, Alma's fate is left in the hands of the socially and sexually repressed jury forewoman, Edith.

The Old Vic also announced that Bank of America Merrill Lynch is to sponsor the new season. Bank of America Merrill Lynch has been in partnership with The Old Vic for the past two years as sponsors of The Bridge Project, Sam Mendes' transatlantic company, which is currently staging As You Like It and The Tempest.

Kevin Spacey, Artistic Director of The Old Vic commented: "It's hard to believe that we are now preparing to open our seventh season at The Old Vic. These are three great plays that all rather brilliantly explore the attitudes of their time and offer wonderful roles to actors. I am delighted to welcome Lisa Dillon, such a compelling and exciting young actress, to our stage in two productions, alongside Tom Burke, whose work I've admired since we acted together in the movie Telstar, and Tom Hollander, one of the finest and funniest leading actors of his generation. It is of course a huge thrill to welcome Anthony Page and Richard Eyre, both supremely talented directors, to The Old Vic. We are also delighted to be part of the centenary celebrations for Terence Rattigan and I can't wait to see Thea Sharrock translate his work to the stage. I would like to thank Bank of America Merrill Lynch for their support and partnership. These are tough times for corporate sponsorship and I applaud them for stepping up and showing their commitment to the arts and culture."

Rena DeSisto, Global Arts & Heritage Executive at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, said: "The Old Vic delivers bold, innovative programmes that showcase some of the top emerging and established talents on the stage today. And this new season is certainly no exception. The three plays selected are broad in their vision but united in their ability to challenge and enhance our understanding of the human experience. Bank of America Merrill Lynch is immensely proud to help bring this exciting new season to stage."

The 24 Hour Plays Gala returns to The Old Vic on 21 November for the seventh year running. 40
internationally renowned actors, directors and writers join forces to test their talents to the limit and create six short plays in just 24 hours. Past participants have included Gael Garc?ia Bernal, Jim Broadbent, Joseph Fiennes, Josh Hartnett, Tom Hollander, James Nesbitt, Rosamund Pike, Rufus Sewell, Brooke Shields, Kevin Spacey, Catherine Tate and Vince Vaughn.

Outside of the main house, The Old Vic Tunnels, an innovative performance space under Waterloo Station, has this year staged a number of events and productions aimed at providing a platform for new talent and new work. The UK Premiere of the international hit play Scorched, by award-winning playwright Wajdi Mouawad, directed by Patricia Benecke and co-produced by Dialogue Productions, will open at The Old Vic Tunnels on 6 September.

Following the death of their Mother, twins Simon and Janine are called to the family solicitor, Henry Bell for the reading of her will. They are shocked to find that their father is still alive, that they have a brother they knew nothing of, and that their legacy is to deliver letters to them both. This takes them on an emotional journey into the past, back to their mother's previous life and her middle-eastern homeland - a country caught up in civil war.

Sam Mendes' The Bridge Project is currently playing at The Old Vic with The Tempest and As You Like It, starring Stephen Dillane, Christian Camargo and Juliet Rylance. On 13 July The Old Vic opens its first West End production as Jeff Goldblum and Mercedes Ruehl star in Neil Simon's The Prisoner of Second Avenue at the Vaudeville Theatre.

The Old Vic, The Cut, London SE1 8NB Box Office: 0844 871 7628 Book Online: www.oldvictheatre.com.
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About Bank of America Merrill Lynch: As a company doing business in more than 150 countries, and with almost 300,000 associates, Bank of America Merrill Lynch strives to promote greater cultural understanding worldwide in the firm belief that this will lead to improved economic opportunities. Built on a foundation of responsible business practices and good corporate citizenship, the company's global commitment to the arts is demonstrated through its support of a broad range of programmes. These include sponsorship of travelling performances and special exhibitions, and turning the company's art collection into a public resource through the Art in our Communities® programme, lending complete exhibitions to museums and galleries free of charge. In addition, the Bank of America Foundation provides philanthropic support to a range of arts organisations, from grass roots arts education programmes to world-class institutions that play a role in creating a more culturally-aware society.

Design for Living NOEL COWARD:
3 September - 27 November 2010 Previews: Fri 3 Sept - Tue 14 Sept; Press Performance: Wed 15 Sept at 7pm Mon - Sat 7.30pm; Sat & Wed 2.30pm [Please note there are no matinee performances on Sat 4 Sept, Wed 8 Sept or Wed 15 Sept]
TICKETS £10, £15, £20, £27.50, £38.50, £48.50

A Flea in her Ear Georges Feydeau Translation by John Mortimer
4 December 2010 - 5 March 2011 Previews: Sat 4 Dec - Mon 13 Dec; Press Performance: Tue 14 Dec at 7pm Mon - Sat 7.30pm; Sat & Wed 2.30pm [Please note there are no matinee performances on Sat 4 Dec, Wed 8 Dec or Wed 15 Dec. There is a matinee performance on Thu 16 Dec at 2.30pm]. Christmas & New Year schedule as follows: Fri 24 Dec - 2.30pm only; Sat 25 Dec - No Performance; Sun 26 Dec - No Performance Mon 27 - Thu 30 Dec - 7.30pm; Wed 29 Dec - 2.30pm Fri 31 Dec - 2.30pm only; Sat 1 Jan - 2.30pm & 7.30pm
TICKETS £10, £15, £20, £27.50, £38.50, £48.50

Cause Celebre Terence Rattigan
17 March - 11 June 2011 Previews: Thu 17 - Mon 28 March 2011; Press Performance: Tue 29 March 2011 at 7pm Mon - Sat 7.30pm; Sat & Wed 2.30pm [Please note there are no matinee performances on Sat 19 Mar, Wed 23 Mar or Wed 30 Mar. There is a matinee performance on Thu 31 Mar at 2.30pm]
TICKETS £10, £15, £20, £27.50, £38.50, £48.50