Pop icon Madonna defied the critics with a victorious first night on London’s West End on Thursday, receiving a standing ovation for her efforts in Up For Grabs. As she took centre stage for the opening night at the Wydham Theatre, the 750-strong audience – which included Madonna’s husband Guy Ritchie as well as Sir Elton John, Stella McCartney and Donatella Versace – erupted in applause and cheers.
Spectators appeared delighted with Madonna’s acting and many of her lines were greeted with laughter. At the production’s close, the 43-year-old star was called back to the stage twice to receive a standing ovation. The play's writer David Williamson said backstage Madonna had given a wonderful performance and admitted her presence guaranteed a sell-out over the play’s ten-week run. “Let’s be realistic,” said the Australian playwright, “when you’ve got Madonna in the cast, nobody’s going to forget her. She’s the star.”
The success confounded the critics who, after seeing preview performances, had reported that the singer’s acting skills were not up to the task. The production had also been dogged by rumours of backstage clashes between Williamson and his iconic cast member. But on making her official debut in the West End, Madonna delivered a flawless performance that surpassed all expectations.
In Up For Grabs, Madonna plays a manipulative art dealer attempting to get her hands on a Jackson Pollock painting. It marks the singer’s return to the stage after a 14 year absence. The last time she trod the boards was in a production of David Mamet’s Speed The Plow in New York in 1988.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Madonna's appearance in David Williamson's Up For Grabs has guaranteed the production's ten week run is a sell out, and on Thursday touts were asking as much as £300 per ticket REUTERS/Dave Bennet
