The Skin of Our Teeth

Synopsis

1942. New Jersey, USA. Welcome to the world of Mr and Mrs Antrobus, a remarkable family who have survived every catastrophe throughout history by ‘the skin of their teeth . With a new Ice Age on its way, dinosaurs on the front lawn and the end of the world due in 24 hours, will they be so lucky this time? The Skin of Our Teeth won the Pulitzer Prize in 1942. In our world of American supremacy and imminent ecological disaster, the day of Wilder's philosophical comedy has come again.

Our Review:

5 March 2004

In February, Young Vic artistic director David Lan received an Outstanding Achievement Olivier for his entire “audacious” season in 2003. His latest production – and his last self-directed one before the South Bank landmark closes this summer for a two-year, £12.5 million renovation – sees him carrying that same spirit through into this year’s programming.

The choice of the play alone, Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth, offers ample proof. This surreal stage fable, which hasn’t had a major London outing in 50 years, didn’t win the 1942 Pulitzer Prize for being easy. Described by the author as the history of mankind in comic strip, it pits the suburban Antrobuses of New Jersey against every catastrophe in history – fire, famine, flood, war and even the Ice Age – in a cyclical plot that undermines theatrical convention at every turn. Wilder wasn’t exactly short on audacity himself.

In Lan’s updated version, we’re alerted early on in Act One - whic...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com (172.169.60.191) - 17 March 2004:

What a fascinating play, given an excellent production here at the Young Vic. Thornton Wilder represented a gaping hole in my knowledge of theatre. I can't say it's a great play, but it was clearly ahead of its time and even today seems very inventive and original. The staging, design and performances are all first class. Well done, Young Vic - yet again proving itself to be a completely indispensible venue!...

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