Queensland Theatre Company(QPAC) has just launched a wonderful new production for those who appreciate the true quality of live stage performance.
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No Man's Land, Duke of York's Theatre, London, 30 December 2008 |
Opening night of No Man's Land by Harold Pinter was a buzz for the audience.
No Man's Land is a play by Harold Pinter written in 1974 and first produced and published in 1975. Pinter wrote No Man’s Land for British theatre icons Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud.
The original production was at the Old Vic Theatre in London by the National Theatre on 23 April 1975.
In the current production at QPAC John Gaden plays Hirst in masterly fashion. Hirst is an alcoholic upper-class litterateur who lives in a grand house presumed to be in Hampstead.
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| Michael Gow, Libby Anstis and Robert Kemp |
Kathryn Fray and Mcdaugall |
Andrew Buchanan and Steven Rooke |
Peter Carroll and John Gaden |
Peter Carroll plays Spooner, a "failed, down-at-heel poet" whom Hirst invites home for a drink from the pub and becomes Hirst's houseguest for the night.
Steven Rooke in his role as Foster the artistic assistant to Spooner, and Andrew Buchanan as Briggs the manservant, are equally impressive.
This great blend of actors gives the audience an hour and half of intelligent, mysterious, bleakly beautiful and very funny language from the pen of Harold Pinter, an influential playwright, screenwriter, actor, theatre director and poet of his generation.
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| Harold Pinter |
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Harold Pinter died at the age of 78 from cancer in 2008. His public achievements include the Companion of Honour (2002), Nobel Prize in Literature (2005), Légion d'honneur (2007), David Cohen Prize (1995), and the Laurence Olivier Award (1996).
Director Michael Gow deserves great credit for this new interpretation of this modern classic.
I spoke to the actors afterwards and all thought that playing their roles was “pure magic” from rehearsals to opening night. The two young leads, who have already achieved recognition in their careers said how proud they feel to be working with Carroll and Gaden.
No Man's Land is a play you could see again and I plan to do so. As John Gaden said "there is a lot going on and seeing the play again can give you a different experience from the first".
Peter Carroll who is 80 years of age is made for the role of Spooner. This accomplished stage actor's delivery of his lines makes you appreciative the calibre of the actors who have taken on these incredible roles.
No Man's Land will be running for five weeks only at the Queensland Theatre Company and then it will be off to Sydney for a season at the Opera House. Don't miss it.
Book through www.qpac.com.au