Third Rail Theatre Screens National Theatre's THIS HOUSE Today

Third Rail Theatre will present HD screenings of The National Theatre's This House by James Graham this month.

This House is set in the British Parliament during the turbulent years from 1974-1979, a shabby time of industrial unrest, spiraling inflation, and the feeling that Britain was a failing nation. In 1974 when Edward Heath called a general election, the winning Labour party under Harold Wilson lacked a majority. They had to struggle on in power just to keep the Conservatives out, let alone actually pass legislation.

Playwright James Graham finds the action not in the prime ministers themselves--Heath, Wilson, Callaghan, and finally Thatcher--but in the party whips who struggle, manipulate, and connive to control the outcome of each vote. Graham builds suspense from the compromised mixture of ambition and idealism that informs the politics of any era. One reviewer, praising the two lead actors, wrote "Charles Edwards and Reece Dinsdale are so nuanced and intelligent in the roles of the old adversaries, Walter Harrison and Jack Weatherill, as almost to persuade one that politics might be a noble business, after all."

The political events of This House are by and large true, including a few famous political incidents--among them Michael Heseltine swinging the mace around and John Stonehouse faking his own death.

The play received Olivier Award nominations for both Best New Play and Best Director. Third Rail Rep hosts these HD screenings of the live production.

The production will screen today, June 16, 1pm and 5pm and Sunday June 23, 1pm and 5pm. Season Voucher Package $96 (6 screening for $96); Single tickets $20; Seniors 65 + $18; Students $15. All screenings are at the World Trade Center Theater, 121 SW Salmon Street, Portland, Oregon. For additional information, go to thirdrailrep.org or call 503-235-1011.

Promoting new plays. Exploring The Edges of theatrical style. Sharing a range of experiences with the audience and the community. Third Rail is artist-driven theatre.

Pictured: Walter Harrison - Deputy Labour Whip (Reece Dinsdale) and Jack Weatherill - Deputy Tory Whip (Charles Edwards). Photo by Johann Persson.

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