Opening on 1 May, and playing from Thursday to Saturday, until 23 May at Theatre 3, 3 Repertory Lane (off Ellery Crescent) Acton, Amy’s View by David Hare, directed by Ian Hart, is the second production from Canberra Rep’s 2009 Season. The play has many faces: it is a political play, a social comedy; a modern tragedy; a study of the changing problems of women in society, the story of one family’s trials and tribulations.
The four acts of Amy’s View cover a period of 16 years from 1979 to 1995. There are some unsettling parallels with today’s world: a long-serving conservative prime minister and US president fall from power; we are in a world-wide recession with increasing unemployment; financial scandals rock large multinational companies; and technology threatens traditional art forms.
Rep has assembled a talented and professional cast for this production: Ellen Caesar (Amy), Naoné Carrel (Esme), Martin Searle (Dominic), Fay Butcher (Evelyn), David Bennett (Frank) and Adrian Flor (Toby).
Amy’s View tackles serious issues, but it’s by no means gloomy. The dialogue is sparkling and often very funny; it navigates the line between comedy and tragedy with the skill and assurance of Chekhov. It contrasts ideological positions on art and popular culture—articulated by the characters Esme and Dominic—though it is not difficult to see which side playwright Hare is on. At its core, it is a love poem to the traditions and truths of theatre: about how an actor approaches a role, about creating subtlety, about pleasing without seeming to try…
Ultimately, the message of Amy’s View is very simple. Judi Dench, who created the part of Esme in London and New York, says it is about “the changes that love takes, the conflict between what is real and not real, and coming to terms with yourself”.
Sir David Hare is one of Britain’s best-known playwrights and screen writers, whose recent credits include The Hours (2002) from the novel by Michael Cunningham and The Reader (2008) from the novel by Bernard Schlink, which were both nominated for Academy Awards.
The classic masks of comedy and tragedy on the same stage!
What: AMY’S VIEW
Presented by: Canberra Repertory Society
Where: Theatre 3, 3 Repertory Lane (off Ellery Crescent) Acton ACT
Preview—30 April 8pm
Director’s Q&A: Following Preview performance 30 April
Student Rush: 21 May 8pm performance
Season: 1–23 May—Thursday to Saturday 8pm
Matinees: 9, 16 and 23 May 2pm
Twilight: 10 & 17 May 5pm
Tickets: $35, Conc $27, Members $25, Preview/Mat/Twilight $27/Student Rush 2 for $27
Bookings: 6257 1950, Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm, tickets also available at the door 1 hour before scheduled performances.
Loading ...
