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Thursday, May 24, 2012

SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER

As a proud representative and supporter of The National Theatre Live in London, Ster-Kinekor Cinema Nouveau Theatres strives to deliver the best in alternate content and performance arts to South African audiences.

A new addition to the National Theatre Live season, She Stoops to Conquer will be screened exclusively at Ster-Kinekor Cinema Nouveau Theatres on May 26, 27, 30 and 31.

She Stoops to Conquer is the latest period comedy straight out of London. Written by Oliver Goldsmith, and directed by Jamie Lloyd, this play was first staged in 1773. Some 240 years later, it still manages to create a stir amongst audiences.

The scene is set in the country house of the Hardcastle family. Mr Hardcastle (Steve Pemberton from the award-winning The League of Gentlemen), envisions his daughter and his best friend’s son getting married. However, his plans are thwarted when Tony Lumpkin (David Fynn) plays a prank on Marlow (John Hefferman), the prospective son-in-law. This causes Marlow to enter the Hardcastle house, mistaking it for a country inn. Mr Hardcastle is mistaken for the innkeeper, and his daughter Kate (Katherine Kelly from Coronation Street) for the barmaid.

The truth is that Marlow can barely speak to women, and is a tongue-tied wreck when it comes to women of his own class. However, he is a complete lecher when communicating to his social inferiors. Kate Hardcastle decides that in order to win over Marlow, she must play her part as the barmaid. Mrs Hardcastle (Sophie Thompson of Eat Pray Love), gives audiences an absurdly over the top performance as she engages the prospective son-in-law and his foppish friend.

Join Ster-Kinekor Cinema Nouveau for this spirited comedy, and meet the dandified and hilarious characters of She Stoops to Conquer at Cinema Nouveau Gateway from May 26 to 31. Running time is three hours (estimate) including host introduction and one 20 minute intermission. Bookings are open - visit sterkinekor.com, or SterKinekor.mobi. Or call Ticketline at 082 16789.