Reading: Through a Glass Darkly
May 28 at 6.00 pm & May 29 at 8.00 pm. Small Stage, Dramaten
Admission: SEK 100
Language: English
Director and artistic director: Michael Attenborough, Almeida Theatre, London
Producers: Cate Blanchett, Andrew Upton, Andrew Higgie, Garry McQuinn and Liz Koops
Cast:
John Bowe - David
Alex Jennings - Martin
Luke Treadaway - Simon
Ruth Wilson – Karin
A reading from The Almeida Theatre of a stage adaptation of Bergman’s film Through A Glass Darkly. Performed, script in hand, by four British actors, this new adaptation by Andrew Upton is currently being developed by director Michael Attenborough and Dramaturg Jenny Worton, with a view to a full production at the Almeida Theatre in London in 2010.
The film Through A Glass Darkly from 1962 was both written and directed by Ingmar Bergman. The film is often referred to as a “chamber film” because it features only four characters, takes place in a mere 24-hour period and entirely on an island.
Through a Glass Darkly describes 24 hours in the life of a family vacationing on the island of Fårö, off Sweden's south east coast. Karin has been brought to the remote island by her family in order to facilitate her recuperation from a psychotic episode. However, the family’s already fragile ties are tested; with Karin’s father, husband and younger brother so consumed by their own frailties that they cannot prevent her relapse.
The title derives from a Biblical passage in which seeing through a glass darkly refers to our understanding of God when we are alive; the view will only be clear when we die.
Through a Glass Darkly was Sweden's contribution to the Venice Biennale in 1962 and in the same year it won the Oscar for best Foreign Language Film.
MICHAEL ATTENBOROUGH
Michael Attenborough is Artistic Director of the Almeida Theatre. Previously, he was Associate Director, Mercury Theatre, Colchester (1972-74), Leeds Playhouse (1974-79), Young Vic (1979-80), Artistic Director, Palace Theatre, Watford (1980-84), Artistic Director, Hampstead Theatre (1984-89), Principal Associate Director, Royal Shakespeare Company (1990-2002). On leaving the Royal Shakespeare Company he became an Honorary Associate Artist. Free-lance work includes productions at the National Theatre, the Royal Court, in the West End and on Broadway.
JENNY WORTON is the Artistic Associate at the Almeida Theatre. She was previously the Literary Manager at the Tricycle Theatre, and worked in the Literary Departments for the Bush Theatre, the National Theatre and Out Of Joint. For the Gate Theatre she wrote the text for I Am Falling, recently revived at Sadler’s Wells and nominated for a South Bank Show Award.
JULIA HORAN is the Casting Director. For the Almeida, she has cast: In a Dark Dark House; The Homecoming; Nocturne; Chain Play II; Awake and Sing; Dying for It; Out of the Fog. Recent theatre credits include: The House of Special Purpose (Chichester Festival Theatre); Arcadia (West End); Six Characters in Search of an Author (Chichester Festival Theatre/ West End); In The Red and Brown Water; Tintin (Young Vic). Television includes: Adha Cup; Parliamo Glasgow; Harvest; The Verdict; The Bill; The Badness of George IV. Julia is a member of the Casting Director's Guild.
JOHN BOWE has played several parts at the Almeida Theatre and performed at the Royal Shakespeare Company, Hampstead Theatre, Broadway and West End. John has also appeared in countless Television Dramas including Prime Suspect and Cranford.
ALEX JENNINGS has worked at Royal National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company and on Broadway among others. He is perhaps best known for his role as Charles, Prince of Wales in The Queen (2006) alongside Helen Mirren. He has starred in numerous films, television dramas and radio productions.
LUKE TREADAWAY featured in the film Brothers Of The Head. The film earned Luke a British Independent Film Award nomination for Most Promising Newcomer. He has worked at the Royal National Theatre, Soho Theatre, Finborough Theatre and starred in both films and television dramas.
RUTH WILSON is perhaps best known for her BAFTA and Golden Globe-nominated performance in the title role of Jane Eyre. She has also starred in several television dramas as well as the lead in ITV’s forthcoming remake of The Prisoner. She has worked at the National Theatre, Sound Theatre and is currently preparing for A Streetcar Named Desire at the Donmar Warehouse.
www.almeida.co.uk
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