Tavern on Camac to Premiere New Play MERLIN AND WART

Tavern on Camac Street, in the heart of Philadelphia's Gayborhood, is reaching a new milestone in its repertoire. As if being the first Gay social establishment in Philadelphia and boasting to be the city's first piano bar is not impressive enough, Tavern is now breaking new ground as the venue for Merlin and Wart, the city's must-see theatrical event of the season.

Premiering November 5th and running until November 22nd, the upper floor of Tavern will be transformed into a dark and dingy psychiatric ward, where the light of day is snuffed out for the duration of the play. The two actors show the audience the conditions of the country's mental health facilities in the early nineties.

Set inside the faded halls of Byberry Mental Hospital on the outskirts of Philadelphia, Merlin and Wart is the story of two criminals' fight for survival. Merlin, the older of the two, believes he is the famous wizard of Camelot, who ages backwards and has the ability to perform magic spells. His protégé, Wart, is an atheist who cannot believe in anything outside of hard science. When the two converse, much more, collide with one another; it makes for two acts of pure enjoyment, agony and ecstasy.

Merlin and Wart focuses on the "dark ages "of mental health in the country, and asks whether or not there are stable and effective means of caring for the mentally ill. The brainchild of regional playwright, Kevin Stackhouse, Merlin and Wart presents an interesting challenge for actors. "The play is written as a giant stream of consciousness. It is just two actors trying to outwit each other. Things mentioned five minutes earlier in the plot come back full swing in the middle of another conversation. The actors present a wide range of emotions with beats only separated by act, making for an interesting aesthetic," says Stackhouse.

Accompanying the text of the play are the brilliantly designed costumes of Bobby "Fabulous" Goodrich. Fresh from his Off-Broadway run of Divine/ Intervention, where he played the famous drag superstar, Divine, Goodrich makes the costumes reflect the grey and white matter of the brain, highlighting the convolution of thought and human error. Goodrich's altar ego, famed drag queen, hosts a series of local shows, including Gaybill: A Broadway Cabaret, at Tavern on Camac.

Tavern's array of inventive and delectable cocktails are an excellent accompaniment to the viewing of this play. Available at Thursday performances only, audience members are encouraged to enjoy a full range of well drinks, creative and expertly made martinis and casual favorites, crafted by Vince Dean, bartender extraordinaire.

For more information on Merlin and Wart, an in-depth view of Byberry Mental Hospital and a place to purchase tickets, view the Official Merlin and Wart web-site: http://merlinandwartplay.weebly.com.

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