The multi-award winning top KZN theatre company, KickstArt, presents Red - a compelling and moving account of one of the greatest artists of the 20th Century whose struggle to accept his growing riches and praise become his ultimate undoing. The production opens in the Playhouse Loft tomorrow night (March 27).
( Michael Richard and Jeremy Richard. Photo by Val Adamson)
“There is only one thing I fear in life, my friend ... One day the black will swallow the red."
This thrilling new play by John Logan (famous for screenplays for such films as Gladiator, The Aviator, Rango and the recent Scorsese blockbuster, Hugo) explores the fascinating creative process and inner conflict of famous American artist, Mark Rothko, who is painting a group of murals in his New York studio 1958-9, for the expensive and exclusive Four Seasons restaurant.
Under the watchful gaze of his young assistant and the threatening presence of a new generation of artists, Rothko takes on his greatest challenge yet: to create a definitive work for an extraordinary setting.
The audience is witness not only to his passionate and challenging discussion of making art, but also to its actual making: the action of stretching and priming canvasses, and the hugely visceral thrill of painting itself.
“Smart and scintillating: Red deftly conjures what most plays about artists don’t: THE EXHILARATION OF THE ACT.” – John Lahr, The New Yorker
Red stars highly respected South African theatre veteran Michael Richard as Rothko, with exciting newcomer Jeremy Richard as his assistant, Ken. Jeremy Richard is the son of Michael Richard and Louise St Claire and all three were seen in the excellent The History Boys.
The play is directed by Steven Stead and designed by Greg King, with lighting design by Tina le Roux, the same team responsible for the resounding successes, Wit, Duet for One and Cabaret.
KickstArt presents the South African premiere of Red in association with the National Arts Festival and Daphne Kuhn of the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square, Johannesburg.
Red previews in Durban in the Playhouse Loft from March 27 to April 1, before premiering at the Grahamstown Festival for a short run from June 29 to July 2. It will then run at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square from July 18 to August 12.
Tickets in for the Durban season R120 (R100 pensioners and students) booked through Computicket.
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