RSC's DUNSINANE Plays The Wallis, Now thru 4/5

Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts ("The Wallis") welcomes the National Theatre of Scotland and the Royal Shakespeare Company production of Dunsinane written by David Greig and directed by Roxana Silbert for a limited 13-performance engagement beginning tonight, March 27 to Sunday, April 5, 2015 (press opening Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 8pm) in the Bram Goldsmith Theater.

Fierce one minute and bitingly funny the next, Dunsinane is a modern language sequel to Shakespeare's Macbeth that examines sex, politics and power. The English General Siward storms the Castle on Dunsinane Hill and assassinates Macbeth - only to find Lady Macbeth still alive and unwilling to relinquish the throne. Unable to grasp the alien customs of the country, Siward soon finds his peace mission spinning out of control. Esteemed playwright David Greig's sharp, sophisticated saga illuminates uncanny parallels between medieval and present-day political landscapes.

Patricia Wolff, Interim Artistic Director of The Wallis said, "Two of the world's most extraordinary theater companies, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre of Scotland, have collaborated on a fascinating theatrical premise: What happens after the curtain comes down on Macbeth? David Greig's thrilling new drama brilliantly straddles the ancient and modern worlds, playing like a cross between "Game of Thrones" and "House of Cards."

Siobhan Redmond reprises her critically acclaimed role as Gruach (Lady Macbeth), and is joined by acclaimed British stage and screen actor, Darrell D'Silva, in the role of Siward. Other cast members include George Brockbanks, Helen Darbyshire, Ewan Donald, Keith Fleming, Tom Gill, Toyin Omari-Kinch, Arthur McBain, Matt McClure, Alex Mann and Mairi Morrison.

Playwright Greig, currently represented with The Events at New York Theatre Workshop and Charlie and The Chocolate Factory in the West End, says, "The emotional pull to 'do the right thing' is an innate human desire that is universal. That desire, however, is both attractive and dangerous, as the definition of the 'right thing' often changes from person to person, country to country. Wherever Dunsinane goes, new audiences interpret and bring different context to the play. I'm thrilled that The Wallis will host Dunsinane's American debut, and excited to see how the story is interpreted by the regional audience."

A collaboration between National Theatre of Scotland (the Olivier-winning Black Watch, the Ovation-nominated The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart) and the Royal Shakespeare Company (LES MISERABLES, Matilda: The Musical), Dunsinane is currently on a North American tour, which, in addition to The Wallis, includes Carolina Performing Arts in Chapel Hill, NC; Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in Chicago, IL. The play had a highly successful tour to East Asia and Russia in spring 2014.

The Times of London said, "Instead of being an intriguing exercise in reimagining history, the play becomes the frankly thrilling spectacle of one of the country's leading writers using its biggest stage as the great public forum of debate...if it's riveting spectacle, challenging ideas and human drama you want, this is the show to see."

The Washington Post said, "This big, bold show is the latest in the valuable and productive partnership between the Shakespeare Theatre Company and the National Theatre of Scotland. You hardly need to brush up on your Shakespeare to see that the peacekeeping and nation-building of Dunsinane has no end of resonance here and now."

The Guardian said, "David Greig's brilliant Shakespeare sequel is funny one minute, and knotty the next in Roxana Silbert's gripping RSC production. The result is an irresolvable drama about an irresolvable conflict - a work of compelling intelligence, provocation and wit. Siobhan Redmond gives a stunning performance as Gruach: a mix of flame-haired witch and dynastic obsessive who's a keen apologist for her dead husband."

Tickets are available at www.thewallis.org or by calling 310-746-4000 or in person at The Wallis Ticket Services located at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90210.

To post a comment, you must register and login.