Dear theatre friends,
I’m happy to begin this letter with good news– Edinburgh Fringe has been given a “lifeline” of funds to ensure it will survive this cancelled year to return in full force in 2021. This would have been the 72nd year of continuous August joy. Aaah well– good things come to those who wait!
Other good news– you can now see Emma Rice’s “Wise Children” beginning today, for one week. You may recall that Emma, who won my Award for “The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk,” began her new company, also called Wise Children, with this joyful adaptation of a beloved book by Angela Carter. It received no less than five stars from The Guardian when it opened at the Old Vic, London.
For those of you with access to U.K. only broadcasts, you will be able to stream Sebastian Faulk’s “Birdsong” from July 1st. Sadly, I never saw Sir Trevor Nunn’s adaptation– but it was so well received that it continued to tour long after the centenary of the First World War.
From our own Irish Rep, you can now stream “Reflections of Molly Bloom” and look forward to both Conor McPherson’s sophisticated ghost Story, “The Weir” next month and “Love Noel”– songs and letters of Noel Coward, in August.
A terrific resource for online streaming is TimeOut. Today’s list is here, and I think there will be weekly updates. It includes the usual suspects like Irish Rep and Lincoln Center productions, but also pieces from companies I haven’t seen before– worth checking out, I think.
Even if you don’t subscribe to BroadwayHD, you can now see the Lincoln Center production of Dominique Morisseau’s “Pipeline”— and it’s free. You may find other plays, such as “A Delicate Balance” or “Butley” so enticing, you have to sign up. Their archive is extensive.
The French Institute has announced a reading of Moliere’s “Tartuffe,” with the wonderful Raul Esparza– free tickets, on June 27th. Worry not– it’s in English, with French captioning if necessaire! There will be two performances and live Q&A with the cast after each.
In closing, do not miss the unique theatre company, Theater of War’s production of “Oedipus, The King” on June 24th. Sophocles’ tale of a hubristic ruler during another plague will chill you– especially when performed by great actors, such as Frances McDormand and John Tuturro, among other notables.
More to come…
That’s all for now– as I receive news I’ll pass it along. But don’t completely fill your calendars yet– more shows are continuing to find their way to our screens.
Aren’t we fortunate to be living during this plague and not Sophocles’? Or, are you overwhelmed by choice?
Again, if you discover other theatre-related news– please get in touch: Carol@BestofEdinburgh.org.
And, need I reiterate? I’d like to continue to write because so many have expressed their enjoyment of reading– but I must have content!
Please send other theatre related information, or do try to recall a story you’d like me to post.
Carol Tambor publishes a monthly newsletter, which announces worthy shows coming to New York, along with occasional information about London theatre and, of course, the Edinburgh Fringe.