Shanghai’s original English-language company, East West Theatre, returns to the stage with a pair of productions that couldn’t be any more different.
David Johansson (Almost, Maine) directs an adaptation of Moliere’s The Learned Ladies from June 18 to 23 at The Pearl. An outrageous farce, it follows young Henriette’s efforts to fend off the ‘scholar’ suitor trumpeted by her mom, aunt and sister.
“Moliere was about poking fun at the establishments of the period and here he’s poking fun at academic pretension,” Johansson explains.
The ensemble piece features a mix of Shanghai stage veterans like Dave Earl (Glengarry Glen Ross) and Mirren Childs (Masque’rade: Macabre Tales of Poe) with newcomers like Jerome Mazet and Phillip Baofao.
Originally written in verse, The Learned Ladies is set in a 17th-century estate with Johansson promising grand costumes and plenty of wigs.
“I want the show to spiral out of control,” he enthuses. “These characters should be looked at as completely insane figures that sprouted out of Moliere’s mind, but based on people in Paris of that era.”
Laughs will be more caustic in Barbara Anderlič’s adaptation of Michael Bartlett’s Laurence Olivier Award-winning Cock, which is also a pre-festival fundraising event for ShanghaiPRIDE VI.
“The title is very in your face,” the Slovenian director admits, “but it has something to do with the story. None of the characters are particularly likable so each of them is kind of a cock, especially John, who tends to cock things up.”
Cock is all about John’s relationship issues. He breaks up with his long-term boyfriend and succumbs to his first hetero urges, before concluding with a dinner involving all three parties. For good measure, the ex has brought his father along for the explosive finale.
“It’s very close to home and something everyone that’s been in a relationship will relate to,” Anderlič says.
John Prakapas (SantaLand Diaries) stars as the titular character with Owen Bell (Lend me a Tenor), Daniel Cotterall (New Electric Ballroom) and newcomer Kate Billington co-starring.
Compared to Johansson’s outsized ambitions for The Learned Ladies, Anderlič is going for something low key declaring Cock will be “all about the acting and the words.”
// Cock runs June 6-7, 8pm, RMB100-120. The Pearl, 471 Zhapu Lu, by Wujin Lu 乍浦路471号, 近武进路 (182 0216 4553, east.west.info@gmail.com)
// The Learned Ladies run June 18-23, 8pm, RMB150-200. The Pearl, 471 Zhapu Lu, by Wujin Lu 乍浦路471号, 近武进路 (182 0216 4553, east.west.info@gmail.com)
*******************WIN!!!!*******************************
We have a pair of tickets to give away to both show's opening night. Send an email
to win@urbanatomy.com by June 3 for Cock or June 13 for The Learned Ladies
with the subject 'EWT' telling us your best play idea.
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