FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Great Barrington, Mass.—Continuing its tradition of bringing the best of the world’s performing arts houses to the Berkshires, the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center has added three HD broadcasts from London’s National Theatre to its year-round schedule: Henry V on June 18, Prima Facie on July 22, and Straight Line Crazy on September 10.
“Offerings from London’s National Theatre never fail to be moving, thought-provoking, artistically-groundbreaking, visually compelling, and deeply relevant, all at once,” says Mahaiwe Executive Director Janis Martinson. “NTL brings together the world’s finest actors, directors, and playwrights in shows that often make the transition, later, to Broadway. This is a chance to see these memorable performances first.”
The Mahaiwe will screen Henry V on Saturday, June 18 at 7 p.m. Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) plays the title role in Shakespeare’s thrilling study of nationalism, war and the psychology of power, captured from the Donmar Warehouse in London. Fresh to the throne, King Henry V launches England into a bloody war with France. When his campaign encounters resistance, this inexperienced new ruler must prove he is fit to guide a country into war. Directed by Max Webster (Life of Pi), this exciting modern production explores what it means to be English and the relationship to Europe, asking: “Do we ever get the leaders we deserve?”
Prima Facie will screen Friday, July 22 at 7 p.m. Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) makes her West End debut in the UK premiere of Suzie Miller’s award-winning play. Tessa is a young, brilliant barrister. She has worked her way up from working class origins to be at the top of her game, defending, cross examining, and winning. An unexpected event forces her to confront the lines where the patriarchal power of the law, burden of proof and morals diverge. Prima Facie takes us to the heart of where emotion and experience collide with the rules of the game. Justin Martin directs this solo tour de force, captured from the intimate Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End.
The Mahaiwe will screen Straight Line Crazy on Saturday, September 10 at 7 p.m. Ralph Fiennes (Antony & Cleopatra) leads the cast in David Hare’s (Skylight) blazing account of the most powerful man in New York, a master manipulator whose legacy changed the city forever. For forty uninterrupted years, Robert Moses exploited those in office through a mix of charm and intimidation. Motivated at first by a determination to improve the lives of New York City’s workers, he created parks, bridges and 627 miles of expressway to connect the people to the great outdoors. Faced with resistance by protest groups campaigning for a very different idea of what the city should become, will the weakness of democracy be exposed in the face of his charismatic conviction? Broadcast from the Bridge Theatre in London, Nicholas Hytner directs this exhilarating new play.
Tickets go on sale Friday, April 29 at 12 p.m. and are $17, or $10 for ages 21 and under. Tickets can be purchased at mahaiwe.org or by calling 413-528-0100 during Box Office hours, Wednesday through Saturday, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
See mahaiwe.org/update for current safety protocols.
About the Mahaiwe
Located in downtown Great Barrington, Mass., the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center is the year-round presenter of world-class music, dance, theater, classic films, Live in HD broadcasts, and arts education programs for the southern Berkshires and neighboring regions. The intimate jewel box of a theater opened in 1905. Since 2005, the performing arts center has hosted over 1,500 events and welcomed over half a million people through its doors. More than 22,000 students from 73 different schools have benefited from the Mahaiwe’s school-time performances and residencies. For more information, see mahaiwe.org.
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