Dear theatre friends,
As you’ve probably noticed, many theatre companies have finished their season and are preparing for Fall. You may feel deserving of a warm weather hiatus too, but there are still theatre pleasures to be had.
Guaranteed to cool you, producing shivers– run toThe irish Rep for Conor McPherson’s “The Weir”. Although I’ve seen this before, I can’t wait to hear these haunting ghost stories again. It will be directed by Irish Rep founder, Ciaran O’Reilly– a master at staging classic Irish work. Playing through the end of August.
The always adventurous theatre companies, Clubbed Thumb and Page 73, have combined forces to present “Cold War Choir Practice” as part of this year’s Summerworks program. A play with music by Ro Reddick at the Wild Project., it concerns simmering family relationships, with a choral backdrop– and such an intriguing title!
If the iconic music of the Viet Nam era is your “thing”– it’s the centerpiece of “Rolling Thunder”— a long running hit in Australia. Although billed as part documentary, the stories of veterans are accompanied by twenty rock classics– sounds more like a concert to me! Of course, it is summer– enjoy!
Bask in the cool of a neighborhood cinema where you can view Gillian Anderson’s extraordinary performance in Tennessee Williams’ masterpiece, “A Streetcar Named Desire” courtesy of National Theatre Live. I caught this in London and can assure you that Ben Foster’s portrayal matches her intensity– you won’t be able to look away!
Another which comes with my personal assurance is “Angry Alan” starring John Krasinski at Seaview Studio. This is the very well-chosen first play in a beautifully refurbished 2nd Stage Theatre space. John Krasinski (‘The Office”) gives a 90 minute, non stop performance expertly directed by Sam Gold. The very smart text by Penelope Skinner and Donald Sage Mackay will stay with you, inspiring many hours of conversation on the nature of masculinity. Don’t miss this!
That’s all for now. I’ll write again soon.
Carol Tambor publishes a monthly newsletter, which announces worthy shows coming to New York, along with occasional information about London theatre and, of course, the Edinburgh Fringe.