Photos: Theatre Three presents Alfred Hitchcock's THE BIRDS

Daphne Du Maurier's short story, also the basis for Alfred Hitchcock's classic film, is boldly adapted into a new, contemporary play by Conor McPherson (The Seafarer, The Night Alive).

An unsettling and moving look at human relationships in the face of societal collapse, The Birds is set in an isolated house where strangers Nat and Diane take shelter from relentless masses of attacking birds. They find relative sanctuary, but not comfort or peace. There's no electricity, little food, and a nearby neighbor may still be alive and watching them. Another refugee, the young and attractive Julia, arrives with some news of the outside world, but her presence also brings discord. Their survival becomes even more doubtful when paranoia takes hold of the makeshift fortress-an internal threat to match that of the birds outside.

"This play is far more a psychological thriller than the previous incarnations of this story," says director John Ruegsegger. "Where du Maurier set out and Hitchcock continued, McPherson goes deeper into what is truly terrifying about the fall of society and that perhaps nature isn't the only thing to fear. This will be a tense, unnerving experience. Incorporating T3's new era of embracing newer works and pushing boundaries, audiences should expect something shocking."

The Birds is directed by Theatre Three Technical Director John Ruegsegger with a cast featuring Greg Holt (Tierney), Madison Hart (Julia), Felicia Bertch (Diane) and Jamall Houston (Nat). This play includes adult language and themes and is not recommended for children.

All photos by Jeffrey Schmidt