Plummer to revive Barrymore in Toronto

Christopher Plummer is set to revive his Tony Award-winning show Barrymore in Toronto in the new year.

The Canadian theatre icon will reprise his lead role in William Luce's two-man play about the famed John Barrymore of the U.S. acting dynasty at the Elgin Theatre for a limited engagement of 30 performances beginning Jan. 27.

The revival reunites Plummer with the original creative team, including celebrated director Gene Saks, and set and costume designer Santo Loquasto.

Actor John Plumpis co-stars as Frank, the unseen, off-stage character who helps Plummer's Barrymore run his lines and prompts him.

"Barrymore offers an unforgettable portrayal of legendary actor, John Barrymore, a man of colossal talent and contradictions, also considered one of the greatest Shakespearean actors of all time," the producers said.

"Set in 1942, the final year of John Barrymore's life, Barrymore takes place on the stage of a Broadway theatre, where the actor is struggling to recreate his performance in the title role of Shakespeare's Richard III."

A noted performer of the Bard's work himself, Plummer is currently starring as Prospero in the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's production of The Tempest, which continues through Sept. 13.

Barrymore also began at Stratford in 1996, where it played to much acclaim.

The production then toured several U.S. cities before landing on Broadway in 1997, where it earned Plummer a host of theatre world honours, including his second Tony Award.

The 80-year-old also has a new film on the horizon. Beginners, in which he co-stars with Ewan McGregor, will be featured as part of the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival.