High Society of The Philadelphia Story for Chester Street
Opening on July 27 at Theatre on Chester, Epping (NSW), director, Joy Sweeney, shares her thoughts on and reasons for directing the American classic, The Philadelphia Story.
“The Philadelphia Story has been one of my favourite movies since Bill Collins me introduced it to via The Golden Years of Hollywood somewhere in the 1960s.
“The 1939 movie was based on the Phillip Barry play written during that decade and was an immediate hit on Broadway. Of course it was later made into a very successful movie musical, High Society, in the 1950s.
“The Philadelphia Story beautifully and subtly captures the class structure between all levels of Philadelphian society just after The Depression. From the established wealth of the Lord family and its headstrong beautiful daughter, Tracy, to the nouveaux riche George Kittredge and the impossible battle he faces to be accepted into this old Philadelphian family.
"I have deliberately featured the servants in this production to focus on yet another class level. Even today the play evokes the romance of some of our most popular modern entertainment such as Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey.
“In conjunction with capturing the class differences of the period I was keen to do the same with the costumes, props, sets and music. I have chosen George Gershwin music to be a feature of the production. Gershwin died in 1938 and his music captures that period like no other composer.
“Having the opportunity to direct this famous piece of theatre has been an exciting project. I have been blessed with a brilliant cast and technical crew whose creative talents I know will bring this wonderful piece of nostalgia to life. “
Performance Dates: July 27 – August 18, 2012.
Bookings: 9899 4038
Images (from top): Janina Hamerlok, Scott Clare, Levi Gardner and Nicole Williams; Nicole Williams as Tracy Lord; the entire cast of The Philadelphia Story; Troy Cheney and Fiona Harsanyi & Phil Lye & Tom Sweeney.
More Reading
Community Theatre Seasons 2012 - www.stagewhispers.com.au/community-theatre/community-theatre-seasons-2012
More Community Theatre - www.stagewhispers.com.au/community-theatre
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