Torn between two cities, two stages

WHAT a spot for an actor-playwright to be in. Stage and screen veteran Lynn Redgrave, who is directing the premiere London run of her latest play, “Nightingale,” won’t be able to attend the show when it opens.

While “Nightingale,” a solo piece, is performed by Redgrave’s close friend Caroline John at London’s New End Theatre, Tuesday through Feb. 18, Redgrave will be essaying the plum role of Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” at the Ahmanson Theatre here.

A new Peter Hall production, “Earnest” begins previews Tuesday, opens Jan. 25 and runs through March 5.

Perhaps by way of partial compensation, however, Redgrave will give a one-night performance of “Nightingale” at the Mark Taper Forum on Feb. 27.

The bittersweet solo show, based on the life of Redgrave’s maternal grandmother, Beatrice Kempson, was developed over a series of readings; it is the third of an autobiographical trilogy of plays that Redgrave has written based on her family, whose theatrical lineage can be traced to the 18th century.

“The Mandrake Root” was inspired by Redgrave’s mother, actress Rachel Kempson, and in “Shakespeare for My Father,” nominated for a Tony Award for its 1993 Broadway run, Redgrave explores her relationship with her late father, actor Michael Redgrave.

*

Lynne Heffley