Auden, Britten and Bennett at Third
Rail
We think this particular newsletter deserves a soundtrack. For some lovely reading music
you might like this piece by Benjamin
Britten.
Next from NT Live: A Smash Hit from the Author of The History
Boys
Our next screening of live-captured performance from the National Theatre, London, will be
the acclaimed new drama from Alan Bennett, The Habit of Art.
The Habit of Art is as much about the theatre as it is about poetry or music. It
looks at the unsettling desires of two difficult men - Benjamin Britten and W. H. Auden - and at the ethics of biography. It
reflects on growing old, on creativity and inspiration, and on persisting when all passion is spent: ultimately, on the habit
of art.
Benjamin Britten, sailing uncomfortably close to the wind with his new opera, Death in
Venice, seeks advice from his former collaborator and friend, W. H. Auden. During this imagined meeting, their first for
twenty-five years, they are observed and interrupted by, amongst others, their future biographer and a young man from the
local bus station.
The reviewer for London's Daily Telegraph wrote of the play, "I can think of few
plays that combine wild laughter, deep emotion and technical ingenuity with such bravura. The Habit of Art is a smash
hit if ever I saw one."
Third Rail will present two screenings of The Habit of Art: Saturday May 15 at 2pm
and Sunday May 16 at 7pm. All tickets are $20. Call 503-235-1101 to purchase tickets or buy them online at www.thirdrailrep.org. The Habit of Art is recommended for
mature audiences.
Eight More Performances of The Gray
Sisters
Here's a sample of the audience response to The Gray Sisters, from our Facebook page: "Wrenchingly beautiful, with overwhelming lyrical imagery. One of the highlights of my
season. Congratulations and thank you to all for diving into a new work adventure that has paid off fabulously." Another
comment was nicely direct: "It was just one of the best plays I've ever seen."
Have you seen it yet? Only eight performances remain for this world premiere that
features Third Rail's talented actresses Gretchen Corbett, Stephanie Gaslin, Maureen Porter, and Valerie Stevens.
Plan a "theatre day" this weekend -- see The Habit of Art Saturday afternoon and
The Gray Sisters Saturday night, or vice versa on Sunday. You'll love what you see.
The Gray Sisters runs through May 23 at the World Trade Center Theatre. Call
503-235-1101 to purchase tickets or buy them online at www.thirdrailrep.org.
