RolePlay, which debuts Nov. 7 at Neely Auditorium at Vanderbilt University, delights audiences with keen observations of modern humanity‘s innate ability to make a mess of relationships.
The play, written by British farceur Alan Ayckbourn, centers on a dinner party held by Justin Lazenby and Julie-Ann Jobson where they intend to announce their engagement. Before the dinner begins, there are already signs of tension: Julie-Ann gets overly frantic about making the meal perfect for her parents (her father, it later turns out, is a right-wing bigot), and Justin’s alcoholic mother is clearly going to arrive drunk. However, the biggest complication turns out to be when ex-dancer Paige Petite climbs onto the balcony, on the run from her violent boyfriend.
“Ayckbourn is England’s equivalent to America’s Neil Simon,” says director Jon Hallquist, associate professor of theater. “Although the play promises many laughs, Ayckbourn still gives his audiences a message to consider. Ayckbourn claimed that his comedy says ‘something about how we all play roles and make assumptions about other people’s choices.'”
RolePlay will be performed at 8 p.m. Nov. 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 9. Admission is $10 for the general public, $7 for graduate and professional students and free for undergraduates with Vanderbilt identification. Tickets are on sale at the Neely Auditorium box office. Tickets may be reserved by calling (615) 322-2404.
For more information about the 2008-2009 Vanderbilt Theater Season, visit http://sitemason.vanderbilt.edu/theatre/currentseason.
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Media contact: Missy Pankake, (615) 322-NEWS
missy.pankake@vanderbilt.edu