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DANNY DEVITO GIVES STUNNING MASTERCLASS
On 17 August 2012, Danny DeVito appeared on stage at the Theatre Royal Haymarket with The Sunshine Boys director Thea Sharrock as part of the popular theatre related lecture series ‘Masterclass’.
As a renowned Hollywood actor, writer, director and producer, Danny DeVito is something of an international icon. He has been making his West End debut in THE SUNSHINE BOYS over the past few months, with co-star Richard Griffiths. The show is currently coming to the end of it’s run at the Savoy Theatre closing on the 28 July.
Devito appeared from behind the stage with his wry ‘Hollywood’ smile and beaming enthusiasm and made the hour or so completely disappear. Within moments, his charisma and palpable comic timing had the packed Haymarket Theatre in stitches. He began by stressing that this should be a strictly informal event, as he took off his shoes, rolled up his trousers and sleeves, and sat back into his chair.
Throughout the Masterclass DeVito took questions from THE SUNSHINE BOYS director Thea Sharrock, who regularly had to give in to fits of laughter as DeVito looked on nonplussed. DeVito would answer questions in just a few words, from Sharrock and audience members alike, and then proceed on a associated witty story or anecdote that he would act out for the audience.
As to be expected, much of DeVito’s Masterclass was concerned with the differences between theatre and film. He in fact admitted that before THE SUNSHINE BOYS, he hadn’t appeared in a play for nearly forty years! He spoke a little about his early theatre days in New York, and his training at the American Academy of Dramatic Art. He spoke much more about his illustrious Hollywood career and his relationships with Hollywood’s elite.
Masterclass is one of the finest institutions in the West End free talks and advice for young people (16-30). Previous Masters include Joanna Lumley, Mark Rylance, Charles Dance, Sir Trevor Nunn, Sienna Miller to name but a few. More information about Masterclass can be found on the website http://www.masterclass.org.uk/.
To book tickets for the final few weeks of Danny DeVito and Richard Griffiths in THE SUNSHINE BOYS please CLICK HERE.