Back in August, we reported Maggie Gyllenhaal, who fearlessly tackled sexual taboos in The Secretary, would be taking on new ground with Hysteria, a romantic comedy centered on the strange but true circumstances that surrounded the invention of the vibrator.
We knew then the offbeat comedy, directed by Tanya Wexler, would star Jonathan Pryce as a doctor who aims to invent a way to cure “female hysteria” and creates the world’s first vibrator. Gyllenhaal will play his daughter, and Hugh Dancy and Rupert Everett will co-star. So even in August, the cast had a solid comedic base.
Now Cinema Blend has revealed the list of ladies joining the ranks of the hysterical cast: Ashley Jensen (Extras), British TV star Sheridan Smith (Gavin & Stacey), Gemma Jones (You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger), Felicity Jones (The Tempest), and Anna Chancellor (St. Trinian’s). This speaks well for the production and script, as there are some real comedy heavy-hitters here. I’m especially excited about Jensen, one of the few performers who can keep up with Ricky Gervais, and Gemma Jones, who famously played the zany but lovable mum of Bridget Jones. Add in the wonderfully subversive Gyllenhaal, Pryce & Everett, who are hilarious and heartbreaking in P.J. Hogan’s Unconditional Love, and Hugh Dancy, who was born to make rom-coms, and the cast alone has me primed from some smart and racy comedy!
Production of Hysteria begins Monday in London, with hopes of a 2011 release.
Are you excited for Hysteria?