Master Class

Synopsis

Master Class is  an extraordinary insight into the life and loves of Maria Callas, the iconic opera singer whose turbulent private life and fiery temperament were as astonishing as her formidable talents. Inspired by her master classes of the early 70s, this is a riveting, hilarious and intensely moving portrayal of the sacrifice and heartache behind the artist, the diva and the legend.

With an electrifying performance from Tyne Daly as the infamous Maria Callas, Terrence McNally's Tony Award-winning play Master Class was a smash-hit on Broadway and now arrives in the West End for a strictly limited season.

Multi award-winning Tyne Daly is best known on television for her portrayal of Detective Mary Beth Lacey in Cagney and Lacey, for which she received four Emmy Awards. For her roles as Maxine Gray in Judging Amy and Alice Henderson in Christy she received two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama.  For the former she also won Golden Globe Award. 

Her many Broadway credits include Rose in Gypsy for which she won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical,  Arkadina in The Seagull and Rabbit Hole. Tyne Daley’s film credits include The Enforcer, Dirty Harry, John and Mary and Telefon. 

Joining Tyne Daly in Master Class are Gerard Carey, Jeremy Cohen, Naomi O'Connell, Dianne Pilkington and Garrett Sorenson.

Our Review:

Michael Coveney - 8 February 2012

Something – quite a lot, actually – about Terrence McNally’s 1995 play about Maria Callas giving a New York master class sticks in the craw, but much of Tyne Daly’s performance sticks in the mind.

Despite wearing a dead raccoon of a hairpiece that makes her look from behind like Davy Crockett with good vocal portamento but bad physical deportment, Daly here confirms in this Manhattan Theatre Club revival via Broadway what she proved many moons ago as Mama Rose in Gypsy: she’s a real, and considerable, stage actress.

She’s marvellous, in fact, as Callas, miles better than Patti LuPone in the premiere (who played the diva merely as a bitchy drag act), mining the tragedy of her own life while acting probably her greatest role, Verdi’s Lady Macbeth, through her tutorial.

She gives sideways looks that kill, a noble nose framed in flyaway mascara and arched brows that suggest an uncanny facial resemblance. He...

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Latest User Review

Laura Phillips - 9 March 2012:

What an amazing story - fantastic music!I love Maria she is stunning! Did you the infamous superyacht The Christina O is currently moored at South Quay, Canary Wharf. Guests can take a tour on board and travel back in time to glamorous life of Maria, hear her story and see her memorabilia. It is a must see for all Callas lovers. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster or else call down to the booking station on board the yacht. It was an amzaing tour and talks of her relationship with the yacht and Ari!...

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