Edinburgh’s award-winning Arkle theatre company present a rare chance for audiences to enjoy one of David Mamet’s most sparkling comedies.
’Boston Marriage’ is a stylish historical snapshot of same-sex commitment that clearly resonates with current debates. Acid-tongued Anna and the doomed romantic Claire are old sparring partners reuniting after the latter has been on a long vacation. However, during their separation each has acquired a new paramour. For Anna, it’s a wealthy man who has given her a valuable necklace. For Claire, a beautiful ingenue unaware of her new friend’s intentions. Oh, and Anna has hired a maid: a rough-hewn Orcadian wench who might just be every bit as sharp-witted as her tormentors.
Premiered in the US in 1999, the play takes its name from a late 19th century term for a variety of all-female domestic partnerships. It is also Mamet’s response to charges that he cannot write convincingly about or for women – and what a bejewelled riposte it is. Zipping along on waves of Wildean wit punctuated with bawdy jokes, the play is a fully-rounded entertainment that joyfully provokes questions about monogamy, passion and age.
Director Phil Barnes sees the range of language and mood as a key attraction: ’I always want to choose a script that is demanding for the actors, that will bring the best out of them. My strength lies in comedy but I enjoy the rollercoaster ride you can give the audience if that is mixed with true tender or even sad moments, so that they leave having run the whole gamut of emotions.’
Arkle Theatre Company have an impressive record in staging contemporary work. In 2011 they secured first amateur rights to present Patrick Barlow’s spoof of ’The 39 Steps’ and won top prize in the Edinburgh Evening News Drama Awards. Later this year one of their two Fringe shows will be the first UK amateur production of Yasmina Reza’s smash hit ’God of Carnage’. Full info about the group can be found at http://www.arkletheatre.co.uk.
EDINBURGH – at St Mark’s Unitarian Church, Castle Terrace
Tuesday 23rd April
Wednesday 24th April
*NO PERFORMANCE THURSDAY 25TH*
Friday 26th April
Saturday 27th April
at 7.30 pm
All tickets £10.00 (available on door)
or book on 0131 332 6510
Submitted by Lorraine McCann
