Aurora Theatre Company Presents the U.S. Premiere of Steve Waters' TEMPLE

Aurora Theatre Company presents the U.S. Premiere of British playwright Steve Waters' (World Music, The Contingency Plan) hit play, TEMPLE. On October 15, 2011, Occupy London made camp outside St Paul's Cathedral, one of the most famous, beloved, and recognizable institutions in London. On October 21, a building that was kept open through floods, the Blitz, and terrorist threats closed its doors. A week later the City of London initiated legal action against Occupy protestors to begin removing them, by force if necessary. Beset by problems on all sides, the dean of St Paul's is simply anxious to resume worship, but the big issue is whether he should support the City in its plan to evict those who've set up their tents. Set in the heart of a crisis of conscience, a crisis of authority, and a crisis of faith, TEMPLE powerfully demonstrates how even the most liberal and enlightened can fail.

Declared by the London Financial Times to be "a rich, deeply thoughtful piece about contemporary values. Waters draws from recent history a history play in which flesh-and-blood individuals, caught at a pivotal moment, struggle with fundamental questions about what matters," and about which The Telegraph (UK) said, "Call it divine inspiration - but some rare creative power has settled on the playwright Steve Waters...[he has] gone behind the head-lines, and closed ecclesiastical doors, to produce a riveting drama that unpicks the institutional and psychological turmoil the saga caused," TEMPLE premiered at the Donmar Warehouse in 2015. Aurora Artistic Director Tom Ross (Mud Blue Sky, A Bright New Boise, Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance) helms this thought-provoking new play, featuring, Paul Whitworth, Sylvia Burboeck, J. Michael Flynn, Sharon Lockwood, Leontyne Mbele-Mbong, and Mike Ryan.

Previews begin April 14, and the show will officially open on April 20, 2017 and close May 14. Regular performances are Tuesday at 7pm; Wednesday through Saturday at 8pm; Sunday at 2pm, 7pm.

For tickets (Previews $36; Regular Performances $32-56; Limited Opening Night Seating $65) the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org. Half-off tickets for Under 35; student, and group discounts available.

Aurora Theatre Company gratefully acknowledges Season Restaurant Sponsor Gecko Gecko and Season Floral Sponsor Darling Flowers for their support.

Aurora Theatre Company gratefully acknowledges Associate Sponsors Elizabeth Burwell, Deborah and Howard Goodman, and Ellen and Barry Levine for their support.

Aurora Theatre Company gratefully acknowledges the following foundations and government agencies for their support: Actors' Equity Foundation, Alameda County Arts Commission, Berkeley Civic Arts Program & Civic Arts Commission, The Fleishhacker Foundation, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, The Sam Mazza Foundation, The Bernard Osher Foundation, Kenneth Rainin Foundation, The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, The Shubert Foundation, The Tournesol Project, and The Zellerbach Family Foundation.

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