Talking Theatre
Pat Quigley, Director of Education and Archives, and General Director Antoni Cimolino lead discussions on themes of the season.
Thursdays, July 8 to September 2, 2010
9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Tom Patterson Theatre.
Free admission - general seating.
Brave New Worlds
Thursday, July 8
In some of Shakespeare’s plays and in Peter Pan, characters escape to exotic places where extraordinary things happen. These places and events can lead the characters to a greater understanding and acceptance of human nature and all its foibles.
Parent-Child Reunion
Thursday, July 15
Michel Tremblay imagines a reunion with his mother in For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again. The Darling parents and children are actually reunited in Peter Pan, as are the parents and child in The Winter’s Tale. What is it that fascinates all of us about the fundamental yet complex relationship of parent and child? Why is it that happy reunions must so often be imagined?
Character as Commentator
Thursday, July 22
In several plays on this season’s playbill, there are characters who are part of the play and at the same time stand aloof to comment on the action. What dramatic purpose do these special characters serve?
"Things of Darkness"
Thursday, July 29
In many of this season’s plays there are characters who threaten the well-being of others. The job of the actor in such a role is to discover the character’s reasons for his or her dark deeds. Does the audience perceive the character’s motivation, or do we only see evil? Do we need to understand why evil happens?
Portraits of Love
Thursday, August 5
In Shakespeare’s comedies and romances, young love may be tested but ultimately triumphs. On the other hand, in Jacques Brel’s songs, in George F. Walker’s King of Thieves and in Christopher Hampton’s Dangerous Liaisons the portraits of love are quite different: the lover is often left unsatisfied or even dead. What is the appeal of both kinds of stories?
Thursday, August 12: Talking Theatre is pre-empted by the Celebrated Writers Series.
Betrayal
Thursday, August 19
In The Winter’s Tale, The Tempest, As You Like It, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Dangerous Liaisons and King of Thieves there are characters who commit false or disloyal acts for real or sometimes fabricated reasons. Why are their stories so interesting to the audience?
Redemption and Reconciliation
Thursday, August 26
For some of the betrayers on this season’s playbill, there is forgiveness for their betrayals and reconciliation with their victims. Others are not as fortunate. Can there be redemption through forgiveness? Can we actually forgive one another?
Why Shakespeare?
Thursday, September 2
Do contemporary audiences still respond to Shakespeare productions? Should we continue to produce plays by a dead white male playwright? Why?