Beyond the Horizon/Spring Storm - National Theatre
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
EUGENE O’Neill’s Beyond the Horizon and Tennessee Williams’ Spring Storm open in the National’s Cottesloe Theatre on April 7 (previews from March 24), before continuing in repertoire.
Originally presented to critical acclaim at Royal & Derngate, Northampton, as part of the Young America Season in October 2009, these two plays showcase the early work of two of America’s greatest writers.
Beyond the Horizon is the powerful Pulitzer prize-winning drama that formulated Eugene O’Neill’s vision of America.
Robert is about to start a new life across the ocean, whilst brother Andy is settling on the family farm. But the realisation that they love the same woman results in a dramatic reversal of fate.
Spring Storm is a gripping early play by Tennessee Williams, which received its European premiere at Northampton.
Heavenly has almost everything a young woman could desire, but when she’s forced to decide between respectable suitor Arthur and handsome, wild lover Dick, her actions cause a chain of consequences that tear their lives apart.
The cast for both plays includes Joanna Bacon, Robin Bowerman, Steven France, Gavin Harrison, James Jordan, Jacqueline King, Michael Malarkey, Janice McKenzie, Ailish Symons, Michael Thomson, Anna Tolputt and Liz White.
The director is Laurie Sansom, Artistic Director of Royal & Derngate, where his credits include Follies, Twelfth Night, Soap, Time Of My Life, The Glass Cage, Frankenstein, The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie, The Wizard of Oz and Private Fears In Public Places.
Beyond the Horizon and Spring Storm are designed by Sara Perks, with lighting by Chris Davey, music by Jon Nicholls and sound by Christopher Shutt.