Linda Gray to Star in Terms of Endearment Play in UK

A new stage version of James L. Brooks' 1983 drama Terms of Endearment will have its world premiere in the UK, according to Whatsonstage.com.

"Dallas" star Linda Gray - who was previously announced to star in the play when it was slated for runs at the Alley Theatre and Hartford Stage - will headline Terms of Endearment.  She will be joined by Suranne Jones (West End's A Few Good Men, "Coronation Street") and John Bowe (Hamlet, As You Like It, etc. at the RSC), with Robert Fitch and Katherine Heath.  David Taylor will direct the stage version, which is adapted from the original novel by Larry McMurtry and the screenply by Brooks by Oscar-nominee Dan Gordon (The Hurricane).

The production will open on August 24th at the York Theatre Royal, and then tour to 10 UK venues through December 1st before landing in the West End at a theatre to be announced.  The production was to have played in Houston and Hartford, CT earlier this year, but those runs were cancelled due to scheduling conflicts. 

According to the article, Terms of Endearment "explores the tumultuous relationship between a devoted but opinionated mother and her headstrong daughter. While Aurora Greenway struggles to maintain order over daughter Emma's chaotic life, she finds her own taking an unexpectedly thrilling turn as she falls deeply in love for the first time with retired astronaut Garrett Breedlove."  Shirley MacLaine played the role of Aurora in the Oscar-winning film, which also featured Debra Winger as Emma and Jack Nicholson as Garrett.  In the stage version, Gray will play Aurora, with Jones as Emma and Bowe as Garrett.

Gray, who appeared on Broadway as Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate, is best known for her work as Sue Ellen Ewing on "Dallas." Her other stage credits include The Vagina Monologues, Love Letters (with "Dallas" co-star Larry Hagman) and Agnes of God. Other film and TV credits include Reflections of a Life, "The Bold and the Beautiful," and "Melrose Place."

In addition to its Academy Award for Best Picture, Terms of Endearment won Oscars for MacLaine and Nicholson, and for Brooks (Adapted Screenplay and Director).

The production will be designed by Julie Godfrey, with lighting by Oliver Fenwick, and will be presented on tour by Lee Dean, Jenny Topper, Laurence Myers, Charles Diamond, Hilary Williams in association with GR8 Theatricals and York Theatre Royal.

Visit www.theatre-royal-york.co.uk for more information.

To post a comment, you must register and login.