"ARSENIC AND OLD LACE" AT STRAND FEB 03

"ARSENIC AND OLD LACE" AT STRAND FEB 03

It has now been confirmed that Joseph Kesselring's Arsenic and Old Lace will open at the Strand Theatre on 25 Feb 03, following previews from 14 Feb 03. Starring Michael Richards (from TVs Seinfeld), Stephen Tompkinson, Thelma Barlow, Marcia Warren . (Tickets expected to go on sale on Mon 7 Oct 02).

It is produced by Katharine Dore, directed by Matthew Francis, designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis, with lighting by Mark Henderson.

Stephen Tompkinson starred as 'Father Peter' in the TV series "Ballykissangel", and his theatre work includes "Art" at the Wyndham's Theatre and "Tartuffe" at the National Theatre. His other TV credits include "Drop the Dead Donkey", "Grafters", "All Quiet on the Preston Front" and, most recently, "In Deep".

Thelma Barlow is best known as 'Mavis Wilson" from TV's "Coronation Street", which she left in 1997. Her theatre credits include the Bristol Old Vic production of "The Cherry Orchard", "Alan Bennett's "Enjoy", Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit" all at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and, most recently , "Smoking With Lulu" also at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and at London's Soho theatre.

Marcia Warren won an Olivier Award this year for her performance in "Humble Boy" at the National Theatre and West End. Her TV appearances include "Keeping Up Appearances", "Dangerfield", "Leaving" and "No Place Like Home".

Joseph Kesselring's Arsenic and Old Lace first opened in London at the Strand Theatre in 1942 and was last seen on stage at the Whitehall in 1977. There was a film made in 1944 starring Cary Grant.

When Mortimer Brewster visits his elderly aunts to tell them that he's about to get married, he discovers that his docile, kindly relatives are actually mass murderers. The aunts live with their brother, Teddy, who believes he is Theodore Roosevelt and shouts 'charge' at any given opportunity.