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THREE WOMEN AND A PIANO TUNER
Minerva Theatre 28 May – 3 July
By Helen Cooper (2004)
World Premiere from contemporary writer Helen Cooper
Directed by Samuel West, who returns to Chichester Festival Theatre following his 2002 professional directing debut success at Chichester, THE LADY’S NOT FOR BURNING
THREE WOMEN AND A PIANO TUNER opens the Minerva Theatre’s 2004 Festival season which features new writing and new adaptations. Cast includes Jane Gurnett, Eleanor David and Suzanne Burden.
From the acclaimed author of MRS GAUGIN at the Almeida (short listed for the Susan Smith Blackburn Award) and MRS VERSHININ, Helen Cooper’s bittersweet comedy considers the consequences of the choices we make. Three women from the same background, who have all chosen a different pathway in life, gather to discuss a project. But before they can get on with the present they must review the past – their memories, their dreams, their choices.
Helen Cooper wrote the screenplay for Mike Figgis’ film MISS JULIE. She is also renowned for her translation work, which includes LA BOHEME for the Stuttgart Opera House and DON GIOVANNI for Scottish Opera. Her translation of HEDDA GABLER was performed in the Minerva Theatre in 1996.
This World Premiere is directed by one of the UK’s brightest young directors and actors Samuel West. His first professional directing experience THE LADY’S NOT FOR BURNING in the Minerva Theatre, was the hit of the 2002 season. His work as a director includes COSI FAN TUTTI for ENO and LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES at the Bristol Old Vic. His work as an actor includes the title roles in both HAMLET, and RICHARD II at the RSC (both directed by Chichester’s Artistic Director Steven Pimlott), Leonard Bass in James Ivory’s film HOWARDS END and Young Maurice in Richard Eyre’s Academy Award winning film IRIS. He will also be appearing in the forthcoming films VAN HELSING and THE RING.
Samuel West can also be seen this Festival playing the title roles in Edward kemp’s adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov’s THE MASTER AND MARGARITA, directed by Stephen Pimlott, and Christopher Marlowes’ DOCTOR FAUSTUS.
Eleanor David previously appeared at Chichester as Hannah Jarvis in Arcadia and her other theatre credits include work at the National Theatre, The Old Vic and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Eleanor’s television and film appearances include The Last Detective, Midsomer Murders and Mike Leigh’s Topsy-Turvy.
Samuel welcomes Suzanne Burden to Chichester for the first time, her impressive list of credits include work at the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company’s plus television roles in Murphy’s Law, My Family, The Lost Prince and Midsomer Murders to name but a few. Jane Gurnett is another new face to Chichester but one that will certainly be recognised, if not from her extensive work at the Royal Shakespeare Company with directors such as Steven Pimlott, Sam Mendes and Michael Attenborough then from her many television appearances including A Touch Of Frost, Crossroads, Peak Practice, Casualty and the BBC drama Real Women.
THREE WOMEN AND A PIANO TUNER previews in the Minerva Theatre from Friday 28th May and runs until Saturday 3rd July. Tickets, priced £15 - £20 are available from the Box Office on 01243 781312 or online at www.cft.org.uk
Ensemble Company
Helen Cooper; Plays include MRS GAUGUIN at the Almeida and MRS VERSHININ and THE HOUSE OF RUBY MOON at the Riverside Studios, she adapted Ibsen’s HEDDA GABLER for the Minerva Theatre and wrote the screenplay for Mike Figgis’ MISS JULIE.
Samuel West; Directorial credits include THE LADY’S NOT FOR BURNING in the Minerva Theatre, LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES at Bristol Old Vic and most recently COSI FAN TUTTE for the ENO.
Suzanne Burden; Beth. Suzanne’s theatre credits include; Goneril in KING LEAR at the Almeida, Melinda in THE RECRUITING OFFICER, Thea Elvstead in HEDDA GABLER for the National Theatre and Madame de Tourvel in LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES in the RSC, West End and Broadway productions. Her television work includes; LIFE BEGINS, THE LOST PRINCE, THE VET, BETWEEN THE LINES and POIROT.
Eleanor David; Liz. Eleanor previously appeared at Chichester as Hannah Jarvis in ARCADIA. Other theatre credits include; Julia in THE DUCHESS OF MALFI at the National Theatre, Blanche Dubois in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE for Bristol Old Vic and Elizabeth Proctor in THE CRUCIBLE at the Royal Exchange Manchester. Film work includes; Fanny in Mike Leigh’s TOPSY TURVEY and Madame Ziblinsy in Clint Eastwood’s WHITE HUNTER BLACK HEART.
Jane Gurnett; Ella. Jane’s extensive theatre work includes; Victoria in THE WHITE DEVIL, Henriette in THE LEARNED LADIES, Olivia in Twelfth Night all for the RSC, Tzietel in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at the Apollo Victoria and Susannah in CHERUBIN at the Royal Opera House. Her television work includes; CROSSROADS, PEAK PRACTICE DANGERFIELD, REAL WOMEN and three years as Staff Nurse Rachel Longworth in CASUALTY.
Gareth David-Lloyd; Harold. Gareth’s theatre credits include; Macheath in THE THREEPENNY OPERA for National Youth Theatre at Lyric, Hammersmith and title roles in MACBETH and HENRY V for GYPT at Pembroke Castle. Television work includes; MINE ALL MINE, ABSOLUTE POWER and THE CRISIS.
Design by Ashley Martin-Davis; Lighting Design by Peter Mumford; Sound Design by Scott George and Composer Jason Carr.
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