Donn Pierce’s legendary novel, Cool Hand Luke, has been adapted for the stage and will be coming to the Aldwych Theatre later this year. With the film adaptation such a classic, starring Paul Newman, the play will have big shoes to step into.
Mad Dogs star Marc Warren (pictured in the role) will play Luke when the play opens on the 3rd October 2011. The adaptation has been written by Emma Reeves, whose previous stage adaptations include Anne of Green Gables and Little Women.
Cool Hand Luke is the story of World War II veteran Luke Jackson. When he is sent to a Florida prison for 2 years for drunkenly destroying parking meters, he suddenly finds himself facing a brutal system of hard labour, solitary confinement and viscous beatings from the prison bosses.
When Luke’s irrepressible spirit comes up against the supposed complete dominance of the Prison Captain, a war begins that leads to Luke paying too high a price for the crime he committed.
Cool Hand Luke is one of the greatest stories of the 20th century and pulls together themes of abuse, human spirit, ego, freedom, crime and punishment. It’s great to see it getting readapted for the stage, as has been done so well before with comparable novel/film adaptations for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
