AN IDEAL HUSBAND: Miss Moneypenny Keeps It In The Family

Posted on 5 October 2010

Samantha Bond, known for her role as Miss Moneypenny opposite Pierce Brosnan in all his four James Bond outings is to star alongside her real-life husband at the Vaudeville Theatre in An Ideal Husband.

She will play Mrs Cheveley, a woman's who manages to stir up trouble with information she has about politician Sir Robert Chiltern's past in Oscar Wilde's perennial favourite An Ideal Husband.  Sir Robert will be played by Samantha's own husband Alexander Hanson, fresh off the Broadway stage after A Little Night Music transferred there from the Garrick Theatre.  He also appeared in The Sound Of Music at The London Palladium and short-lived musical Marguerite.
 
In a twist, Sir Robert's loving wife will be played by Rachael Stirling who has links to the James Bond franchise herself as her mother, Dame Diana Rigg, played the only character Bond has ever married in Her Majesty's Secret Service.  Rachael's recent stage appearances include The Priory at The Royal Court and Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Rose Theatre, Kingston.
 
Samantha's other credits include Donkey's Years, Arcadia at the Duke Of York's Theatre and another Oscar Wilde classic A Woman Of No Importance at the Haymarket.  Proving that the West End is a small world, The Haymarket's 2003 production of A Woman Of No Importance not only paired up current cast members Samantha Bond with Rachael Stirling, but also with RADA Graduate Caroline Blakiston...who will also appear with them at The Vaudeville's An Ideal Husband!
 
Sometimes in Theatreland the interweaved connections offstage are as convoluted as the action unfolding onstage...and this production of An Ideal Husband proves to be no exception!
 
Check out our exclusive interview with Samantha Bond on our website here.