A Portable Theatre to Present PUB THEATRE, 8/20

A Portable Theatre, Central Ohio's professional touring company, will serve up a "Pub Theatre" performance of David Mamet's comedy The Duck Variations on Thursday, August 20, at 8:00 p.m., at Woodlands Tavern at 1200 West Third Avenue in Columbus. Doors to the special event room will open at 7:00pm for theatre goers who wish to purchase dinner and cocktails before the show; appetizers and drinks are also available during the performance.

A Portable Theatre makes good on its slogan We Deliver! by bringing performances to communities throughout central Ohio and beyond. APT performs for a wide variety of audiences in many different venues, including theatres, churches, libraries, retirement communities, schools and colleges, corporate board rooms, and now, a tavern. "When I was approached by APT with the idea of offering live theatre at Woodlands," said Tavern owner Jimmy Woodland, "I said sure, why not! The community here thrives on music and the arts. Why not offer our customers more than our signature music venue?"

APT Artistic Director Geoffrey Nelson, who is also an actor in the show, shares Woodland's enthusiasm. "Doing a Pub Theatre style performance is a new option for us," he said. "I like the idea of giving theatre goers the casual 'sup, sip and show' that Woodlands Tavern provides. It reminds me of a British pub, where theatrical performances are a regular part of the fare."

The performance of The Duck Variations will last approximately one hour and will be followed by a lively public discussion with the cast.

THE DUCK VARIATIONS

The Duck Variations, one of David Mamet's first plays, is about the fierce and funny battle of wits that develops when two elderly men encounter each other in the park. Both George and Emil are stubborn, highly opinionated and hilariously misinformed. In 14 short scenes or "variations" the two spar like verbal prizefighters about the weather, hunting, outer space, nature, pollution, money, law, friendship, mortality and the Majestic Life of the Duck.

Playwright David Mamet is one of America's most-respected and award-winning dramatists, essayists and film directors. He is the author of such plays as Glengarry Glen Ross, American Buffalo and Speed-the-Plow as well as such films as The Verdict, The Spanish Prisoner and House of Games. Professional actors Jonathan Putnam and Geoffrey Nelson, veterans of many central Ohio stage productions, play George and Emil.

When APT premiered The Duck Variations in 2013, local theatre critics called it "endearing" (Michael Gross of the Columbus Dispatch), "wonderful" (Jay Weitz in Columbus Alive!) and "both funny and philosophical" (Richard Ades in Columbus Theater).

Tickets are $20 and may be purchased online at the APT website: www.aportabletheatre.com