Reviews & News: Almodovar film on the West End
An adaptation of Pedro Almodovar's "All About My Mother" makes its West End (London's version of NYC's Broadway) debut on Sept. 4.
Before you cringe and moan "Why, Pedro, Why?," an article in Time Out London gives me reason to believe this adaptation hasn't gone the route of most film-to-theater conversions who copy the original word-for-word or inexplicably turn into a musical (cough "Legally Blonde" cough).
In fact, it's surprising that the show came to being in the first place. Almodovar was unhappy with the adaptations made of his films "Dark Habits" and "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown," and has made sure no-other attempts have been made on his work in 20 years. But producer Daniel Sparrow wouldn't give up and was eventually given approval by Almodovar's production company, El Deseo S.A. What came to follow were years of work adapting the script for the stage.
Now, on the eve of its opening, Almodovar himself discusses the success of the adaptation. "It was the first time that I could see with distance my work. And then I felt very proud, because I discovered how I did it, and that it worked very well," says the Spanish auteur. "I was amazed to discover that, even in English … the characters worked just as well and the text adapted itself very effectively to the stage."
To read more on the journey from screen to stage of "All About My Mother," go here.
Reviews & News, Pedro Almodovar, All About My Mother, West End
