Racine’s Phèdre Stirs Broadway Revolution
BROADWAY MAGAZINE – One of France’s greatest dramatist is part of the UK’s National Theatre’s Revolution that is about to set Broadway on fire. Starting on June 25, audiences around the globe can watch a live performance of Helen Mirren and Dominic Cooper in Nicholas Hytner’s production of Racine’s classic Phèdre. The rarely staged taught drama can be experienced in theatres across the US, Canada, and around the world in real time. US sites include the famed Mann Theatre in Hollywood, the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago and the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis and many more.
Racine societies across Manhattan or on the East Coast can catch the production at In the New York City area, screenings can be seen at Film Society of Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Director’s Guild Theatre, Cinema Arts Centre, Fairfield University (CT), Monmouth University (NJ) & the Shakespeare Theatre Company (DC).
For the uninitiated, Racine’s classic form is a special pleasure, and Phèdre rates as one of his best. The story of a stepmother and her passion for her stepson, is an acknowledged classic. The new version comes from poet Ted Hughes. Seeing a live staging, live in a movie house is an innovation that we hope to see more of in the future. Now, the British don’t even have to leave their own country to get the American audiences to genuflect. This is one small, violent step for theatre; one giant leap for theatre-kind.
For a complete list of U.S. dates click here.
