In concert with our main stage production of NOISES OFF, the comic masterpiece written by the acclaimed playwright Michael Frayn, Actors Ensemble presents a series of staged readings, featuring other works by the same playwright. On consecutive Tuesday nights starting July 31st we will be presenting THE TWO OF US, BENEFACTORS, and COPENHAGEN.
Frayn began his career as a journalist, later a prize winning novelist, with four successful novels starting with The Tin Men in 1967. Frayn broke into theatre in 1970 with THE TWO OF US , a collection of comic one acts, each featuring two actors. Our production is co-directed by Vicki Siegel (the author of our recent A HOT DAY IN EPHESUS) and the veteran director Anna Andersen, and features 3 of the works - "Mr. Foot", about a man, his wife, and his foot, which seems to have an equal role in threesome, "The New Quixote", featuring what might now be called a cougar, her conquest, and her morning dilemma, and "Chinamen" - Murphy's Law as applied to a dinner party, with all the characters played by two actors - the frantic backstage activity required was the inspiration for NOISES OFF. Plays Tuesday July 31st at 8 p.m., $5-$10 sliding scale. Cash or Check only at the door.
Featuring plays spanning the entire length of Frayn's career, our staged reading series provides a comprehensive picture of Frayn's demonstrated excellence in both highly comic and intensely dramatic works. All performances at the cozy 137-seat Live Oak Theatre in north Berkeley, just down the street from Berkeley's "Gourmet Ghetto".
