Blogs

WOS Theatregoers See Clearly at Glass Q&A

| London's West End |

28 September 2011

Last night (27 September 2011) over 120 theatregoers made their way to the Vaudeville Theatre to see Anthony Sher reprising his role in the critically acclaimed 2010 Tricycle production of Broken Glass, which is currently in the West End for a limited season. New to the cast are Tara Fitgerald and Stanley Townsend who joined us following the show for a really interesting Q&A, sharing with us their experiences being new to the piece, working with an Arthur Miller script in general and with director Iqbal Khan in particular.

Broken Glass tells the story of Phillip and Sylvia Gellburg, a New York couple living in Brooklyn in 1938. Phillip, obsessed with work and his own desire to assimilate, has little time for his wife, but when Sylvia suddenly becomes paralysed after reading newspaper reports of Kristallnacht in Germany, Dr. Harry Hyman is called in. As he gets closer to the source of Sylvia’s troubles, a relationship develops that could have devastating consequences on the family, and themes of guilt, personal tragedy and love start to unfold.

At our post-show Q&A Fitzgerald, wheelchair-bound in the play, spoke about her research into her character’s hysterical paralysis and real-life examples of it, while also sharing with us how difficult it is not to move your legs and working with a wheelchair on a raked stage. Townsend shared some insights into his character Dr Harry Hyman, exploring in particular the “Hemmingway-esque” elements. Both had lots of praise for director Iqbal Kahn and his open methods as well as Miller’s “meaty” script that continually feeds the actor.

As always, please feel free to email your comments and thoughts
about the play, as well as any of your favourite insights from last
night to
feedback@whatsonstage.com. We would love to hear from
you.

Laura Norman
Club Manager