Feb. 18, 2005
by James Inverne
Jennifer Ehle has been cast as Tracy Lord in the Old Vic Theatre Company's forthcoming production of The Philadelphia Story. Scuppering various rumoured ladies who had been said to be up for the lead opposite Kevin Spacey (chief among them Will And Grace's Debra Messing), it's Ehle who will take on the part when the show opens on Tuesday May 10 (previews begin on May 3). Ehle notched up an Olivier Award nomination for the Donmar Warehouse's production of Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing, her last London stage role, which transferred to Broadway where she went one better and picked up a Best Actress Tony. She's spent seasons at the RSC and National Theatre, and has various screen outings to her credit, including Posession, Wilde and Pride And Prejudice (for which she won a BAFTA).
In a press statement, Ehle said, "I'm delighted to be joining the Old Vic Theatre Company in its inaugural season and take on a character as feisty as Tracy Lord." Spacey, currently playing Ben Cook in National Anthems at the same venue, will play Lord's first husband, CK Dexter Haven.
Jerry Zaks will direct the play. Set design will be by John Lee Beatty, with costume design by Tom Rand, lighting by Hugh Vanstone and sound by Fergus O'Hare. The show is co-produced by Duncan C.Weldon and Paul Elliott.
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