Extended twice! September 11–October 17, 2009 Directed and adapted for the stage by Emma Rice
Originally produced by David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers and Cineworld
"Every so often a theater piece comes to town that is so brilliantly conceived and executed, so entertaining on every level, that you want everyone you love or even like just a bit to see it. Brief Encounter . . . is that kind of experience."
—San Francisco Chronicle Read the entire review.
Running time: 2 hours, including one 15-minute intermission.
"Give yourselves a treat and go and enjoy this exquisite Brief Encounter." —Daily Mail
"Positively magical" —Variety
"Run to the box office and get your tickets . . . one of the funniest shows I've ever seen . . . an evening full of fun." —KGO Radio
"Wildly inventive . . . an intoxicating multimedia gem . . . you'll want Brief Encounter to go on forever." —San Jose Mercury News
"Joyous, poignant, and wholly original . . . one of the best pieces of theater we've ever seen" —SFist.com
"A highly entertaining, most memorable evening of theater—one that makes a person want to see it again and to recommend it to friends. It's not to be missed." —AISLE SAY San Francisco
"I didn't want to leave my seat. They had to drag me out after everyone else left the theater. . . . It's been dropped from celluloid heaven on the A.C.T. stage." —Beyond Chron
"An imaginative feast" —Daily Express
"Kneehigh uses its joyous theatricality to bring a cinematic icon to life." —Financial Times (London)
"A true theatrical experience!" —The Stage
About Kneehigh Theatre
Founded in 1980, Kneehigh Theatre made a name for itself with
its radical theatrical productions, often performed in village halls,
on cliff tops, and in quarries around its home base of Cornwall,
England. Now Kneehigh is considered one of the most thrilling,
avant-garde theater companies in the world.
All photographs by Steve Tanner.
Made possible by
Don't just sit there . . . InterACT!
Prologue*
September 15, 5:30 p.m.
Get inside the artistic process with a free preshow discussion featuring director Emma Rice.
Theater on the Couch*
September 18, after the 8 p.m. show
Get psyched after the show as members of the San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis explore the minds, motives, and behaviors of the characters in Brief Encounter.
Audience Exchanges*
September 22, after the 7 p.m. show
September 27, after the 2 p.m. show
After the show, stick around for a lively Q&A session with the incredible cast.
OUT with A.C.T.
September 23, 8 p.m.
Mingle with the cast while enjoying free wine and catered treats at A.C.T.'s popular LGBT-night party. Visit www.act-sf.org/out for more information about how to subscribe to OUT nights.
Special Offers
Meet Me at Michael Mina
Enjoy a delectable three-course menu before the show at restaurant Michael Mina for $55. Available Tue–Sat by 6 p.m.
For reservations, call 415.397.9222.
A Brief Encounter at The Westin St. Francis
This special package includes two tickets to Brief Encounter and an overnight stay at The Westin St. Francis in downtown San Francisco. Rates from $299! To book, visit www.westin.com/sfbrief or call 800.937.8461.
*Discussions are free for ticket holders. Please note that performance times vary.
Cast
Joseph Alessi
(Albert/Fred)
Stuart McLoughlin
(Stanley)
Milo Twomey
(Alec)
Eddy Jay
(Musician)
Annette McLaughlin
(Myrtle)
Beverly Rudd
(Beryl)
Hannah Yelland
(Laura)
Adam Pleeth
(Musician)
Creative Team
Emma Rice (Adaptor/Directory)
Neil Murray (Scenic and Costume Designer)
Malcolm Rippeth (Lighting Designer)
Jon Driscoll (Projection Designer)
Gemma Carrington (Projection Designer)
Stu Barker (Original Music)
Simon Baker (Sound Designer)
Sam Jones (Casting Director)
Simon Harvey (Assistant Director)
Paul Crewes (Producer for Kneehigh Theatre)
Michael Mushalla (General Manager for U.S Tour)
Steph Curtis, (Company Stage Manager)
Karen Habens, (Deputy Stage Manager)
Karen Szpaller (A.C.T. Stage Manager)
David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers (Original Producer)
Cineworld (Original Coproducer)
Kneehigh Theatre (Producer)
Insight into the Play, the Playwright, and the Production
Each entertaining and informative issue of Words on Plays, A.C.T.'s in-depth performance guide series, contains a synopsis, advance program notes, study questions, and additional background information about the historical and cultural context of the play.
Words on Plays is available for purchase in the lobby of the theater during performances or online ($12 each + postage and handling). To subscribe to the full season ($70), call 415.749.2250.
Words on Plays Prepared by
Elizabeth Brodersen, Publications Editor
Michael Paller, Resident Dramaturg
Dan Rubin, Publications & Literary Associate
Table of Contents
1.
Characters, Cast, and Synopsis of Brief Encounter
6.
Brief Encounter: A Very Grown Up Fairy Tale by Emma Rice
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Production Photos
Click to view larger images from Brief Encounter. All photographs by Steve Tanner.
Video Trailer
On the A.C.T. Blog
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 Noël Coward in San Francisco
posted by Brad Rosenstein, Curator of Exhibitions and Programs, Museum of Performance & Design, San Francisco
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