Studies For A Portrait - King's Head Theatre
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
GOOD Night Out Presents is bringing a new re-imagined production of Daniel Reitz’ Studies For A Portrait to the King’s Head Theatre – from March 30 to May 23, 2010.
Internationally-acclaimed American artist Julian Barker, whose fame ranks alongside that of Andy Warhol and Francis Bacon, has just months to live. Ravaged with pancreatic cancer, he retreats to his East Hampton beach house to prepare for artistic immortality.
Julian is cared for by his younger partner and business manager Chad, who is set to inherit his multi-million dollar estate and his priceless iconic paintings. However, the peace is interrupted by Julian’s former lover, who is determined to stake his claim and further complicated by the arrival of Chad’s own boyfriend, a seemingly naïve 23-year old model. With Julian’s death imminent, each man jockeys for position and control.
Studies For A Portrait is the story of three men who have shaped the life and work of a fourth, and a reflection on the power of modern art and the legacy of an artist.
Adam Spreadbury-Maher, with his first production at the King’s Head before his inaugural season opens this autumn, directs a cast that includes John Atterbury (as Julian), Travis Oliver (Chad), Tristam Summers (Justin) and Simon Wright (Marcus).
Atterbury’s theatre credits include Macbeth, Two Princes, The Birthday Party, The Wild Duck, Guys And Dolls and Carousel. He has also appeared on screen in Harry Potter: The Order Of The Phoenix and Gosford Park.
Oliver’s theatre credits include Gaudeamus, The Pocket Dream, Oedipus The King and A Real Classy Affair. His screen credits include Me And Orson Welles, Lesbian Vampire Killers, Everything To Dance For and Modern Monsters (film); The Amazing Dermot, Hotel Babylon, The Last Enemy, Dr. Who and North and South (TV).
Summers’ theatre credits include Liaisons, The Burial at Thebes, Romeo and Juliet and The Blue Room. On television he has appeared in Material Girl.
Wright’s theatre credits include Noises Off, Soldiers, The Seagull, Can’t Pay, Won’t Pay, The Cenci and Simplicity. On television he has appeared as Horatio Nelson in Nelson and Trafalgar.
Adam Spreadbury-Maher (“Best Artistic Director” – Fringe Report Awards 2010) is Artistic Director of The Cock Tavern Theatre and its resident companies Good Night Out Presents and OperaUpClose.
Read more about Adam Spreadbury-Maher’s appointment at the King’s Head
Studies For A Portrait premiered at the White Bear Theatre in January 2009 to critical acclaim, and in May 2009 it transferred to the main stage at the Oval House Theatre for a four-week run.
Tickets: £15 – £25.
Times: Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm, Saturday and Sunday at 3pm.
For more information call the box office on 0844 209 0326 or visit www.kingsheadtheatre.org