The North American Actors Association presents Crossing the Divide, their 9th annual play-reading festival of works by American and Canadian writers at the Bridewell Theatre from 22nd to 27th June, 2009. A non-profit organisation established by professional North American actors resident in the UK, NAAA is run on the sheer enthusiasm and passion of its members. And it is this passion that has made their annual play-reading festival an essential date in the diary of anyone interested in crossing the divide and hearing what North America is saying to itself.
Chosen from hundreds of entries, Crossing the Divide is an eclectic, startling mix of work by both new and established playwrights. We are particularly pleased to welcome Jenny Lyn Bader for the first time and to be the first to perform Jakob Holder's new work, "Repeat Play". Mr Holder has the distinction of having been chosen three times including last year for his play "Housebreaking".
Some of the plays explore the real world: the Iraq war in FATHER LAND, internet scams in 7/10 SPLIT, congressional hearings in DELUSIONS OF A GOVERNMENT WITNESS, a call girl who holds all the cards in CAT AND MOUSE, the death penalty in BOBBY, an aspiring politician and his speech coach in THE HUM, a black woman lawyer in 1960 in MATTER OF INTENT. And some of the plays conjure imaginary worlds: a boy who wants a stigmata for Christmas in FAITH, waking up and not remembering how you got to be who you are in REPEAT PLAY, a verse play about an inflight magazine with IN FLIGHT, two hitmen trying to kill a 90s electric keyboard rock star in CANADIAN TUXEDO,and finally about the brilliant, dangerous son of a great diva in THE ELEPHANT SONG.
The only thing these plays have in common is that it's the first time any of them have been heard in the UK.
Monday, June 22nd - Saturday June, 27th 2009
Bridewell Theatre
Bride Lane
Fleet Street
London EC4Y 8EQ
Performances at 6.30 & 8.00
