The Hills of California
| The Hills of California | |
|---|---|
 West End Promotional Poster | |
| Written by | Jez Butterworth |
| Directed by | Sam Mendes |
| Date premiered | 27 January 2024 |
| Place premiered | Harold Pinter Theatre, London |
| Original language | English |
| Setting | 1976, Blackpool |
The Hills of California is a play by Jez Butterworth.
Synopsis[edit]
The synopsis from the press release of the play stated;
Set in 1976's Blackpool, The Hills of California takes place in the driest summer in 200 years, with beaches and hotels packed to capacity. Far from the tourist thoroughfares, the Webb Sisters cram into the guest house of their former home as their mother lies dying.
Production history[edit]
West End (2024)[edit]
On 11 October 2023, it was announced that the play would make its world premiere at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London's West End. The show is scheduled to run for a strictly limited run from 27 January to 15 June 2024. It will be directed by Sam Mendes, designed by Rob Howell, lighting design by Natasha Chivers, sound design, composer, and arranger Nick Powell; choreographed by Ellen Kane and musical supervisor and arrangement by Candida Caldicot. It will be produced by Sonia Friedman Productions and Neal Street Productions.[1][2]
Cast[edit]
| Character | West End[3] |
|---|---|
| 2024 | |
| Veronica / Joan | Laura Donnelly |
| Gloria | Leanne Best |
| Ruby | Ophilia Lovibond |
| Jillian | Helena Wilson |
| Dennis / Jack Larkin | Bryan Dick |
| Bill / Mr Halliwell | Shaun Dooley |
| Luther St Joan Dr | Corey Johnson |
| Mr Potts / Joe Fogg | Richard Lumsden |
| Penny / Biddy | Natasha Magigi |
| Young Gloria | Nancy Allsop |
| Young Ruby | Sophia Ally |
| Young Joan | Laura McDonnell |
| Young Jill | Nicola Turner |
| Mr Smith | Will Barratt |
| Mrs Smith | Georgina Hellier |
| Tony | Alfie Jackson |
| Patty | Lucy Moran |
| Rose | Stevie Raine |
Awards and nominations[edit]
West End production[edit]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Laurence Olivier Awards[4] | Best New Play | Jez Butterworth | Nominated |
| Best Actress | Laura Donnelly | Nominated |
References[edit]
- ^ "New Jez Butterworth play The Hills of California to open in the West End, directed by Sam Mendes". 2023-10-11. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
- ^ Russo, Gillian (2023-10-11). "New play 'The Hills of California' to debut in the West End in 2024". London Theatre. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
- ^ "Cast & Creative | The Hills of California". hillsofcaliforniaplay.com/. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
- ^ "Olivier awards 2024: complete list of nominations". The Guardian. 2024-03-12. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-03-13.