Alex Jennings Joins Chenoweth & Spence in 'Candide' at ENO

Alex Jennings, currently starring in Present Laughter at The National Theatre, will make his ENO debut as Doctor Pangloss/Voltaire in Robert Carsen's new production of Leonard Bernstein's Candide. This ENO co-production, with the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris and Teatro alla Scala, Milan, where it played to great acclaim, opens June 23, 2008 at the London Coliseum for 13 performances only. 

Alex Jennings joins the previously announced British tenor Toby Spence (as Candide) and Broadway's Tony Award-winning star Kristin Chenoweth as Cunegonde. Further casting to be announced.

The Olivier Award-winning actor Alex Jennings is currently playing Garry Essendine in Noël Coward's in Present Laughter at The National Theatre and recently starred as Prince Charles in the internationally acclaimed film The Queen and as Rev Hutton in the BBC's series "Cranford."  His highly praised performances at the National Theatre include: The Alchemist (Subtle); David Hare's Stuff Happens (George W Bush); His Girl Friday (Walter Burns); The Relapse (Lord Foppington); The Winter's Tale (Leontes) and Speer (title role). With the RSC he has starred in Hamlet (title role); Much Ado About Nothing (Benedick); A Midsummer Night's Dream (Theseus/Oberon) and Peer Gynt (title role). In the West End he starred as Gloumov in Too Clever By Half;  Jack Worthing in The Importance of Being Earnest, opposite Maggie Smith, and as Henry Higgins in Trevor Nunn's production of My Fair Lady. In addition to The Queen, his film appearances include: Babel; Five Children and It; The Four Feathers and The Wings of a Dove.  On television he has starred in: "Riot at the Rite;" "Bad Blood" and as Alastair Campbell in "A Very Social Secretary."

Rumon Gamba, who recently conducted Candide with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall, conducts Robert Carsen's production. The sets are by Michael Levine (Anthony Minghella's Olivier Award-winning Madam Butterfly) with costumes by Buki Shiff and lighting by Robert Carsen & Peter Van Praet. The chorography is by Tony Award-winner Rob Ashford (Parade, Evita, Guys & Dolls, Thoroughly Modern Millie), also making his ENO debut.

ENO's production of Candide opens at the London Coliseum on June 23, 2008 for 13 performances only: June 23 (Preview), 25 (Press Night), 27, 28 (2pm & 7.15pm) & 29 (matinee only at 3pm) and July 4, 5 (2pm & 7.15pm), 6 (matinee only at 3pm), 9 & 12 (2pm & 7.15pm) at 7.15pm.  

This production is supported by Lord and Lady Laidlaw. Box Office now open: + 44 (0) 871 911 0200 or www.eno.org  

Alex Jennings