Town Hall Theatre Screens THE LAST OF THE HAUSSMANS, 10/11

British star Julie Walters plays Judy Haussman in The Last of the Haussmans--a funny, touching and sometimes savage portrait of a family that's losing its grip. Anarchic, feisty but growing old, she remains in spirit with the Ashrams of the 1960s while holding court in her dilapidated Art Deco house on the Devon coast. After an operation, she's joined by wayward offspring Nick and Libby, sharp-eyed granddaughter Summer, local doctor Peter, and Daniel, a troubled teenager who makes use of the family's crumbling swimming pool. Together they share a few sweltering months in this chaotic world of all-day drinking, infatuations, long-held resentments, free love and failure.

One of Britain's best-loved and most versatile actors, Julie Walters has won Golden Globe and Olivier Awards for her work. Her screen credits range from Educating Rita and Mamma Mia! to the Harry Potter films.

"The National Theatre season just started and already it has produced three sold-out hits," says THT executive director Douglas Anderson. "Last week we screened the brilliant The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, which people around here are still raving about. After Haussmans we'll show Timon of Athens, the Shakespeare play no one knows that is suddenly the hottest ticket in London. We're so fortunate to get broadcasts of this kind of world-class drama right here in Middlebury."

The Last of the Haussmans will be broadcast at Middlebury's Town Hall Theater on Thursday, October 11, at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $15, with a special student ticket of $8. Tickets may be purchased at 802 382-9222, www.townhalltheater.org, at the THT Box office (Mon-Sat, Noon-5 pm) or at the door.