Self Esteem to Lead Revival of David Hare‘s 1975 Rock Drama Teeth ‘n’ Smiles
Rebecca Lucy Taylor,the artist known as Self Esteem,will star as Maggie in a new production of David Hare’s Teeth ‘n’ Smiles,a play lauded for it’s raw depiction of a dissolving rock band and the turbulent era that birthed it. The revival, directed by Daniel Raggett, will open at the Duke of York’s Theater in London, with previews beginning November 22nd, 2024, and running through January 18th, 2025.
The production arrives amid renewed interest in onstage explorations of rock music’s volatile underbelly, following the critical and commercial success of Stereophonic at the same venue. Hare’s 1975 play, which previously featured Helen Mirren in its original Royal Court run, is being reimagined for a contemporary audience, promising a visceral experience described as “a cathartic scream… that gets to the heart of being a woman in the world today.”
Teeth ‘n’ Smiles originally premiered at the Royal Court in 1975, later transferring to the west End. The play, which includes a soundtrack of original songs, centers on a band grappling with fame, addiction, and internal conflict.Antony Sher was among the original cast members. A 2002 revival at the Crucible in Sheffield starred Amanda Donohoe as Maggie.
Hare expressed his excitement about the new production, stating, “I can’t think of anything more exciting than watching Rebecca Lucy Taylor and Daniel Raggett strip the varnish off my old play. It’s a perfect moment to see if a new generation responds to that 70s mix of hope, drugs, music, sex and despair.”
Raggett added, “I first read David’s play over a decade ago and it seared itself into my brain… Its spirit of rock’n’roll revolution and desperate howl of defiance feels just as pertinent now as it did in 1975.” Tickets are available through the theatre’s website.
