On October 19, 2011 Hart House Theatre will partner with Zadkiel Productions to present the world premiere of a play by James Cunningham and Martin Hunter.
Tennessee Williams' meteoric rise began in 1945 with The Glass Menagerie and for fifteen years he produced a string of hits that established him as the foremost American playwright. Then the tide turned as the critics condemned his late plays in scathing terms. Williams descended into a spiraling haze of alcohol, drugs and promiscuity. This play is set in the room at New York's Elysee Hotel where Williams was living the night of his death. A sexy young male hustler turns up on the fire escape and takes Williams on a voyage that he might well have written for himself.
This brilliant new play explores the spiralling final moments in the life of a genius. The production may take just over an hour in the theatre, but truly, it's action takes place in the split second that a genius mind needs to process a fragmented reality and find peace. Through Tennesse's self-forgiveness and release, The Gentleman Caller leaves us wondering: what actually happened? What was real, what was imagined and does any of that even matter?
Director
David Ferry was initally attracted to the project by co-author Martin Hunter: "He has forgotten more about Canadian theatre than most doctoral students in Theatre history know". David's love for the work of Williams and the opportunity to examine the final moments of Williams' shattered psyche was a further draw to the project. Perhaps the greatest draw, however, has been the chance to explore a question inspired by the high calibre writing:
If we humans are constantly creating our own narrative to make sense of existence, and if likely the narrative keeps getting re-drafted right up to the moment of death, how fantastic would the narrative of a literary genius be in his final re-write?
Tickets:
Adults $35, Students & Seniors $18
UofTtix Box Office 416.978.8849
www.uofttix.cawww.harthousetheatre.caAbout Hart House Theatre
Hart House Theatre, established in 1919, is the University of Toronto's performing arts leader. Since its inception, the theatre's unique mix of young professionals, alumni and students has garnered the theatre a reputation as not only a cultural destination for the U of T community, but one for all of Toronto.
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