Lantern Theater Company to Close Season With THE ISLAND, 5/17-6/10

Lantern Theater Company concludes its best-selling season in company history with The Island, a play by renowned South African collaborators Athol Fugard, John Kani and Winston Ntshona, directed by Peter DeLaurier and starring Philadelphia actors Frank X and U.R.  A vivid portrayal of apartheid-era struggle and political oppression, The Island is a fitting bookend for a season which started with the provocative religious drama New Jerusalem.  The Island will run from May 17-June 10(press opening: May 23, 7 p.m.). 

The Island is Robben Island, South Africa's notorious prison, where John (Frank X) and Winston (U.R.) are political prisoners and cellmates.  After absurdly grueling days laboring under the sun, they return to their dark cell to rehearse a makeshift performance of Sophocles' play Antigone.  Rehearsals in the cramped cell will test their friendship and strain their resilience in this undeniably moving and surprisingly funny modern classic.

“This play is a hymn to the power of theater,” says director Peter DeLaurier.  “These are two men imprisoned for trying to change a nation, creating theater in the void of their cell to escape the present moment and keep their spirits alive.  They are rehearsing a play which harkens back to a story against injustice, and it is as important to these men to create this play for themselves as it is to perform it for the other inmates and speak truth to power.”

Tickets for The Island are $20 – $36 and are available online at lanterntheater.org or by calling the Lantern Box Office at 215-829-0395.  $10 student rush tickets are available 10 minutes before curtain with valid ID; cash only.  Additional discounts are available for seniors and groups of 10 or more. Lantern Theater Company is located at St. Stephen's Theater, 10th & Ludlow Streets in Center City Philadelphia.

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