York Leads First UK Tour of Hare’s Amy’s View, 3 AprDate: 27 March 2001
David Hare's acclaimed drama, Amy's View, commences its first UK tour next month. It opens on 3 April in Edinburgh and continues to another nine cities until 9 June 2001. Although the touring cast does not include Dame Judi Dench, who originated the role of Esme, it does feature another Oscar-nominated actress in Susannah York.
The story follows an ageing actress, making a living through TV soap operas, who is a locked in a battle of ideology and emotional conflict with her daughter. Spanning the years from Labour's fall from power in 1979 to post-Thatcherite England in 1995, Amy's View explores one family's life, loves and tragedies while also providing a social commentary on the demise of theatre and traditional values.
Susannah York came to prominence starring opposite Alec Guinness in Tunes of Glory. Her film career includes Tom Jones, The Killing of Sister George, They Shoot Horses Don't They (for which she received an Oscar nomination), Country Dance, Jane Eyre and Images, while on television she has featured in popular series such as A Second Chance and We'll Meet Again. York's many theatre credits include A Singular Man, The Apple Cart, September Tide, Hedda Gabler and Man and Superman.
York is joined in the cast of Amy's View by Michael Jayston, Rebecca Lacey and Marcus D'Amico. The production is directed by Robin Lefevre, who recently directed Alan Plater's Peggy for You in the West End, and is designed by Liz Ascroft with lighting by David Plater.
Amy's View was originally presented in 1997 at the National Theatre and went on to enjoy seasons in the West End and on Broadway. Author David Hare's other plays include Skylight, The Blue Room, Via Dolorosa and The Secret Rapture. His many awards for his work have included two Evening Standard Awards, two Olivier Awards, a BAFTA and a Tony Award.
- by Terri Paddock
