Diversionary Theatre Announces EDWARD II

Richard Baird returns to San Diego to direct the largest Diversionary Theatre production to date - 14 fantastic actors playing numerous roles in an intense account of the struggle between passion and responsibility.

Christopher Marlowe's classic tells the tale of England's King Edward II who forsakes everything for his passions and pays a tragic price at the hands of his conniving noblemen and Queen. As his young heir watches love subverted by struggles for power, will he learn compassion or to love even "whom the world hates so?"

Edward II (with the full original title: The Troublesome Reign and Lamentable Death of Edward the Second, King of England, with the Tragical Fall of Proud Mortimer) is an intense and swiftly moving account of a king controlled by his basest passions. An ineffectual leader, the King becomes a puppet of the male object of his obsession and pays a tragic price for forsaking the governance of his country. The action takes place in early fourteenth-century England during a period when enemies in Scotland, Ireland, Denmark, and France surrounded England. Edward, preoccupied by the banishment of his lover Gaveston, barely acknowledges the growing concerns that threaten his realm. He indulges his passions and abdicates his duties, failing to recognize that his willful refusal to attend to state affairs is eroding his royal authority. When a group of nobles has Gaveston executed, Edward's own execution soon follows, unveiling the Machiavellian vices of the would-be saviors.

Diversionary Theatre is thrilled to welcome Richard Baird back to San Diego to direct this unprecedented production. He was last seen at Diversionary in 2005 on stage in Tony Kushner's Bright Room Called Day, a co production with BackyaRD Productions. In 2001 he founded the San Diego based troupe Poor Players, a company dedicated to the works of William Shakespeare. For Poor Players he has directed and appeared in over 20 productions including Macbeth (KPBS Best Actor Award) and Measure for Measure (San Diego Critics Circle Award). He served as Associate Artistic Director for Southwest Shakespeare Company in the 2008-09 season where he directed As You Like It and The Winter's Tale. As an actor, Richard has performed for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Chicago Shakespeare, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Kingsmen Shakespeare, North Coast Repertory Theatre and many others.

Company for Edward II
Directed by Richard Baird. Featuring Amber Bonasso, Ross Hellwig, Noah Longton, Ronnie Larson, Steven Jensen, Evan Kendig, Jeff Anthony Miller, Max Macke, Dangerfield G. Moore, Dr. Jim "Doc" Coates, Steve Smith and John Tessmer, Alexandra Grossi, John Polak, and Reed Willard. The Edward II design and production team includes Matt Scott (Set), Michelle Caron (Lights), Howard Schmitt (Costumes), Kevin Anthenill (Sound), David Medina (Properties), Chris Powell (Stage Manager) and Gideon Rappaport (Dramaturg/Text advisor)

Audience Extras

As part of Diversionary's "Audience Extras" program, Derek Jarman's film adaptation of Edward II will screen at the theatre on Tuesday, September 20 at 7:30 pm. The film stars Steven Waddington as Edward II and Tilda Swinton as Queen Isabella. Staged in a postmodern style with a mix of contemporary clothing and props, Jarman emphasized the gay content of the play particularly by adding homosexual love scenes and depicting Edward's army as gay rights activists. The screening is sponsored in part by FilmOut San Diego.

About Diversionary

Diversionary Theatre develops new works and produces plays and musicals that explore the issues, characters and stories of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in all its complexity and diversity. Founded in 1986, Diversionary has grown into a professional theatre company that nurtures LGBT artists in the development of new works of theatre. Through play commissions, readings and workshops, Diversionary regularly collaborates with other theatre and arts groups to present special events and co-productions, thus involving a wider arts community in our mission.

Previews are September 8 and 9. Opening Night is September 10 at 8pm. Performances run through October 2, 2011, at Diversionary Theatre - 4545 Park Blvd. San Diego CA 92116.

Tickets: Friday & Saturday- $33.00; Thursday & Sunday - $31.00;
Opening Night - $45.00; Previews - $20

PURCHASE:
For tickets or information, call the Diversionary box office at 619.220.0097 or visit www.diversionary.org .