Treading the boards between Broadway and the West End, CNN’s news anchor Richard Quest takes a look at life in the theatre on Sunday 29 January at 1800 GMT in the latest edition of his critically acclaimed show ‘Quest’.
Quest speaks to theatrical legend Andrew Lloyd Webber and Oscar winning actor, Kevin Spacey, who stars in the lead role in Richard III and has been appointed Artistic Director at London’s Old Vic theatre.
Blue Man Group have brought a certain ‘cool’ to the stage and with it, a new, younger audience. They talk to Quest in New York about the new wave of theatre they’ve helped to create and show him a few paint covered tricks that have ensured their worldwide success.
In contrast, the Royal Shakespeare Company is working tirelessly to keep modern audiences in touch with tradition. Quest travels to Stratford-upon-Avon to meet esteemed director Gregory Doran who shares his undying love for Shakespearean tragedy.
Musicals have come to dominate the box office on both sides of the Atlantic. This week ‘Phantom of the Opera’ replaces ‘Cats’ as the longest running musical on Broadway. Andrew Lloyd Webber reflects on his career and talks to Quest about the unparalleled success of his work.
Iconic performer Chita Rivera is high kicking on stage and pulling in the crowds well into her 70’s starring in the story of her life in the theatre ‘Chita Rivera: the Dancers Life’. Having appeared in productions of classic shows like ‘West Side Story’ and ‘Chicago’ with artists including Sammy Davis Junior and Liza Minnelli, Chita is fully qualified to help Quest understand the appeal of a life lived on Broadway.
Quest takes to the stage at London’s Richmond Theatre. Playing alongside ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ star Simon Callow, Quest experiences the spotlight for himself with a walk-on part in the great British pantomime classic ‘Aladdin’.
The ‘Quest’ show has been hailed by critics as broadening the boundaries of CNN programming. In recent months Quest has tried his hand at stand-up comedy, searched for greatness among world leaders, joined celebrity activists on the road from Live8 to G8, examined the world of celebrity chefs and faced up to his phobia of heights in his quest to discover fear. Recent guests have included Bill Clinton, Angelina Jolie, Bono, George Clooney, Beyonce, Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsey, Jamie Oliver and Evander Holyfield.
