ACT Announces Return of Pinter Fortnightly Reading Series; Runs Through October

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre is pleased to announce the return and expansion of Pinter Fortnightly, the popular series devoted to giving public readings of the plays of Harold Pinter and other challenging writers.

The next round of Fortnightlies will begin on Monday, April 4 with a reading of The Birthday Party, featuring an extraordinary cast: Mark Chamberlin, Allen Galli, Suzy Hunt, Darragh Kennan, Hana Lass, and Brian Thompson. On April 18, A Slight Ache will be given, with Marianne Owen and Frank Corrado, and on May 2 three short plays: Party Time, Press Conference, and New World Order, with cast to be announced. The series will continue with additional evenings in June, July, and October, followed by a full weekend workshop of Pinter readings in November.

Curator and local actor Frank Corrado was awarded a $25,000 Fox Fellowship Grant from Theatre Communications Group, allowing ACT to support further development of the Pinter Fortnightly reading series and to better compensate participating actors. Additional plans include a Pinter Festival as a part of ACT's 2012 season, for which the Fortnightly series will serve as a development resource. The Festival will be "a full building" event incorporating many, if not all, of the ACT performing spaces with full productions, further readings, and symposia. Early plans include the creation of a repertory company of actors for the Festival with the productions running "in rep." Plays under consideration include: The Dumbwaiter, Celebration, No Man's Land, and Old Times.

"Pinter Fortnightly resumes its exciting journey into the heart and mind of one of the 20th century's greatest playwrights," said Artistic Director Kurt Beattie. "It's a unique opportunity for Seattle audiences and artists to experience Harold Pinter's powerful and mysterious art. I can't wait for the series to start again and create a full festival of works."

Pinter Fortnightly was initiated in March 2009 by Corrado shortly after Pinter's death the previous December. "I lamented the fact that with the exception of one play, Betrayal, the major theatres in Seattle had for many years failed to produce any other play by the 2005 Nobel laureate," said Corrado. "Our first reading was of No Man's Land, a play that had been written in 1975, but had never been professionally produced in Seattle. Some 40 people showed up, and the audience response, as expressed in a lively and provocative discussion that followed the reading, was gratifyingly positive. I applied for and was awarded the Fox Foundation Grant, which also includes a cash award to ACT as the sponsoring theatre. The grant will allow us to build a permanent home for Pinter Fortnightly and expand the series' scope and reach."

Tickets are $10 for adults or $8 for students, people 25 and under, and seniors, or is included with the ACTPass. Pinter Fortnightly takes place at ACT Theatre, 700 Union Street in downtown Seattle, in the Bullitt Cabaret. Seating is limited. Purchase tickets online at www.acttheatre.org or at (206) 292-7676.

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