Photo Flash: U.S. Premiere of Sarah Kane's 'Blasted'

Sarah Kane’s bleak and controversial drama 'Blasted,' which had its premiere in 1995 at the Royal Court Theater Upstairs in London, has made its American debut as the first show in Soho Rep Theater’s 2008-9 season. 

'Blasted' stars Marin Ireland, Reed Birney and Louis Cancelmi. Previews began October 2nd prior to an official press opening of October 9th at Soho Rep. Soho Rep Artistic Director Sarah Benson directs.

A middle-aged journalist, Ian, and young woman, Cate, enter a hotel room.  As private and public violation collide, their world fragments around them.  Acknowledged as the most provocative and influential British playwright of her generation, in her landmark play BLASTED, Sarah Kane, with startling imagery and bleak humor, forges a potent theatrical vision of destruction, collapse, and ultimately, redemption and love.

Directed by new Soho Rep Artistic Director Sarah Benson, Ms. Benson's debut as director for a Soho Rep production, the cast of 'Blasted' features OBIE Award-winner Marin Ireland as Cate, OBIE Award-winner Reed Birney as Ian and Louis Cancelmi as Soldier. Ms. Benson has directed such projects as 'Quiver & Twitch' at New York Stage & Film and 'The Lottery' at Here Arts Center. Ms. Ireland was last seen Off-Broadway in last season's 'Beebo Brinker Chronicles.' Mr. Birney was recently seen in The Public Theatre's 'Stuff Happens,' and has a recurring role on TV's smash hit "Gossip Girl." Mr. Cancelmi was seen at Soho Rep in the title role of 'Philoktetes,' last season.

"I am delighted that New York audiences will finally get to see this play," noted Ms. Benson.

Design team for 'Blasted' is Louisa Thompson (set design); Tyler Micoleau (lighting design); Theresa Squire (costume design); and Matt Tierney (sound design). Ms. Thompson won an OBIE Award for her set design of Soho Rep's [sic]. Mr. Micoleau is the recipient of both an OBIE and a Lucille Lortel Award for his work on Tracy Letts' 'Bug.' Ms. Squire was costume designer for both 'The Lieutenant of Inishmore' and 'High Fidelity' on Broadway. Mr. Tierney is an OBIE Award-winner for his work on Mac Wellman's 'Jennie Richee.'

The first play in the short life and career of the late Ms. Kane, 'Blasted' - which upon its London debut in 1995 sparked an extraordinary public controversy - was embraced by Ms. Kane's British contemporaries Harold Pinter, Caryl Churchill and Martin Crimp, and has subsequently been widely produced worldwide.  Ms. Kane's other plays include 'Phaedra's Love,' 'Cleansed,' 'Crave' and '4.48 Psychosis.

For more information, visit: http://www.sohorep.org/

Reed Birney and Marin Ireland

Louis Cancelmi and Reed Birney

Reed Birney and Marin Ireland

Marin Ireland and Reed Birney