The Blue Room (2011)

Poster by Poster Designer

by David Hare adapted from Der Reigen written by Arthur Schnitzler (1862–1931), and more usually known as La Ronde.

Directed by Maria Bates

Performances: Tuesday 5th to Saturday 9th April 2011, Bell Theatre

Introduction

The Blue Room is based on a series of vignettes written by Dr Arthur Schnitzler in 1896. It explores various themes including the seemingly pointless nature of sexual connections, love, longing and the fickleness of human behaviour that is based largely on who we are interacting with at any given moment.

In Hare’s retelling, the story remains the same, ten characters fall in and out of bed with each other, never quite finding fulfilment but the setting and some of the ideas have changed.

The backdrop for The Blue Room is described ambiguously as ‘one of the great cities of the world, in the present day'. This is indicative of how the landscape and characters can transcend time and place. Perhaps attitudes have changed but the basic feelings associated with these interactions and relationships have not.

Whether we speak about the original version of the play that caused police action to ensue or the media hyped more recent production that saw Nicole Kidman in the lead role, it has had the same effect....audiences flocked to both productions.

Thanks

I would like to offer my special thanks to everyone who helped to make the production possible: the wonderful cast and crew for all their hard work, support and commitment to the show. Also Pete Coombs, Gerard Johnson, Alan Buckman, Gavin Parker, Val Williams and Mark Bullock for added assistance when needed. John Kelly from Bargain Furniture Ltd for the very kind donation of a carpet, Craig Pemberton for great inspiration and extra last minute help with music from the other side of the pond, Matt Hudson and Sean Garratt for their wonderful warm-ups, the lovely Lauri Morgan and Brendan Murphy for keeping me sane, Nick, Scott and all the staff at The Park for making us so welcome and the use of rehearsal space and all the tireless volunteers on box office, the bar, TC and FOH.

Cast

• Alan Brown - Politician

• David Clements - Student

• Natalie Askey - Model

• Matt Hudson - Taxi driver

• Patricia Duarte - Au Pair and Dancer

• Richard Bennison - Aristocrat

• Rosa Suddards - Girl and Dancer

• Sean Garratt - Playwright and Principal Dancer

• Tracie Laurinaitis - Married Woman

• Jenny Gammon - Actress

• Vanessa Colls - Dancer / Ensemble

• Imelda Maguire - Dancer / Ensemble

• Sign Language Interpreter - Paul Michaels

Crew

• Maria Bates - Director

• Lauri Morgan - AD

• Brendan Murphy -Choreography

• Laura Hyde - Assistant Choreographer

• Sean Garratt - Dance Captain

• Jenny Harris - Lighting Design

• Craig Pemberton - Musical Inspiration/Guitar Composition/Voiceover

• Kay George -Stage Manager/Props

• Caroline Durant -ASM

• Hazel Hindle - Scenic Artist

• Michael Wilson - Scenic Artist

• Graham Clements - Set Construction Manager

• Chaz Doyle - Set Construction

• Mark Ireson - Set Construction

• Lee Ridgeway - Operator/Technical Assistant

• Luis Carvalho - Technical Assistant

Reviews

Some review quotes go here

Reminiscences and Anecdotes

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See Also

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Or add anything that is related within this site. The author's page for instance or other plays with a similar theme.

References

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External Links

• This play on the wikipedia