Children of Darkness - Leicester Square Theatre
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
ESSENTIAL Theatre Company in association with Poetic Justice Productions is presenting the European premiere of Children of Darkness at Leicester Square Theatre – from May 11 to May 29, 2010.
This rare piece by American playwright Edwin Justus Mayer, which premiered in New York on January 7, 1930, uses a glorious pastiche of restoration style to transport its audience from his contemporary perspective amidst the Great Depression to the rotten underworld of early 1700’s London.
Set in the infamous Newgate Prison in 1725, on the eve of the execution of Jonathan Wild, London’s first crime lord, Children of Darkness examines the nature of society and those dark forces which move it: power, greed, lust and corruption.
In this loveless world, as in today’s, anything can be bought, even freedom, but at what price? Mr Snap, the gaoler, and his lascivious daughter, Laetitia, sell their “comforts” to the highest bidder, then rob them of everything they own, including their lives.
Eric Richard directs a cast that includes Don Cotter (as Snap), David Eaton Cartwright, Ashley Gunstock (La Ruse), Cary Crankson (Wild), Paul Nicholas Dyke (Fierce), Kirsty Neilson (Laetitia) and Joe Shefer (Wainwright).
Edwin Justus Mayer (November 8, 1896 to September 11, 1960) was born in New York. He mainly worked as a screenwriter and co-wrote screenplays for 47 films between 1927 and 1958, most famously with the great film director, Ernst Lubitsch. In 1958 Children of Darkness was revived in an off-Broadway production starring the young actor, George C. Scott (for which he won an Obie Award) and his future wife, Colleen Dewhurst.
Children of Darkness is designed by Andrew Riley and has lighting by Hannah Payne.
Tickets: £20, £18 concessions.
Times: Tuesday to Saturday at 7.15pm, except May 18, 26 and 27 at 7pm.
Running Time: 120 minutes including interval.
For more information call the box office on 0844 847 2475 or visit www.leicestersquaretheatre.com