Zoë's preparing to star in Zorba!

21 April 2015 18:54

Fans in the UK were recently treated to Zoë's hugely memorable portrayal of quirky writer Stevie Smith at London's Hampstead Theatre. There was high demand for tickets and fantastic reviews from theatre critics and audiences alike.

Now it's the turn of US fans to enjoy watching Zoë on-stage, as Zorba! begins on 6 May at New York City Center. As Zoë’s PA, Vanessa, has tweeted today, Zoë is now preparing for the musical, in which she will play innkeeper Hortense, who is pursued by jack-of-all-trades Zorba.

Tickets to Zorba! are on sale now from New York City Center.

What a busy, exciting spring for Zoë and her fans!

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Stevie's last week selling out fast

12 April 2015 21:50

This week sees the final eight performances of Stevie, starring Zoë as poet Stevie Smith, at London's Hampstead Theatre – and the tickets are selling out fast!

Each of the remaining performances is now either sold out or has only a small number of tickets left. If you haven't seen this fantastic play yet, do book soon!

Meanwhile, Zoë's fans in the US can look forward to seeing her on-stage in a matter of weeks, when musical Zorba! opens at New York City Center on 6 May.

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Zoë returning to New York stage to star in the musical Zorba!

7 April 2015 20:58

Zoë is returning to the New York stage for the first time in nearly ten years. She will play the mysterious French innkeeper, Hortense, in New York City Center's revival of 1968 musical Zorba!, the final show in its 2015 Encores! series of American musicals.

Adapted from Nikos Kazantzakis' novel Zorba the Greek, the musical follows the adventures of jack-of-all-trades Zorba (played by John Turturro) and intellectual Niko (Santino Fontana). In City Center's words, 'As they traipse across the island of Crete, the two men dance, philosophize, and pursue women'. The director is Walter Bobbie.

Zoë most recently appeared on stage in New York as matriarch Bessie in Clifford Odets's Awake and Sing! at the Belasco Theater, back in 2006. You can watch Zoe in Zorba! from 6-10 May at City Center. Its very limited run will make this show an extra special theatrical treat.

News of Zorba! has been reported today by The New York Times and Broadway.com. For more details or to buy tickets to the production, see City Center's website.

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Zoë presents video to highlight work of The Esther Benjamins Trust

23 March 2015 23:11

Zoë is the presenter of a new short film, which was recorded in December, about the work of The Esther Benjamins Trust in Nepal. The film, set at a London primary school, contrasts the experiences of children in the UK with their poorer counterparts in Nepal.

As Zoë explains during the film, in Nepal 'desperately poor parents sell their children on the promise of a dream of a better life'. However, that dream is not realised; instead the children are trafficked into India, where they face lives of 'virtual slavery'.

The film makes clear that The Esther Benjamins Trust's work in Nepali communities is crucial. The charity works to rescue and support Nepali children who are victims of trafficking, as well as aiming to prevent further instances of trafficking. Moreover, it helps to improve schools, etc. in the region to secure children's futures.

'One of the most effective ways to stop [the children] being trafficked again – and to save their younger sisters and brothers from the same fate,' Zoe emphasises, 'is to keep them safe in school'.

You can find out more about The Esther Benjamins Trust, sponsor a child or make a donation to the charity by visiting its website.

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Stevie production photos: Zoë on-stage at Hampstead Theatre

13 March 2015 17:26

Stevie is nearing the end of its first full week at Hampstead Theatre, which has published a great series of production photos of Zoë as poet Stevie Smith. Also pictured are her co-stars, Lynda Baron (who plays Stevie's aunt) and Chris Larkin (as the enigmatic 'Man').

Previews of Stevie began on 6 March, and there are already many very enthusiastic comments about the show on Twitter from theatregoers (I'm endeavouring to re-tweet them). This funny, poignant play's press night will take place on Monday. Its run continues until 18 April.

Tickets are on sale - many dates now have only limited availability, and so I'd suggest booking sooner rather than later!

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