by David Pinner
World Premiere produced by Sarah Lawrie for And Tomorrow Theatre Company
Directed by Julia Stubbs
The world premiere of a new play about Thomas Hardy and his wives by the father of folk horror, David Pinner, whose novel ‘Ritual’ inspired the cult movie ‘The Wicker Man’.
What I Really Think of My Husband – Thomas Hardy and His Wives examines the life of one of the most celebrated British writers of all time; from the tortuous nature of the man himself, the trials and tribulations of his wives, Emma and Florence, to the legacy of his literary genius. A poetic, comedic, disturbing ghost story, with spine-chilling music and spectral effects.
Cast
Andrew Crouch | Edmund Dehn | Laura Fitzpatrick | Isabella Inchbald | Aliya Silverstone.
Creative Team
Director: Julia Stubbs | Producer: Sarah Lawrie for And Tomorrow Theatre Company | Lighting Designer: Chuma Emembolu | Musical Director: Faith Taylor | Scenic Artist: Zoe Bridger | Stage Manager: Jaymie Quin-Stewart | Production Assistant: David Hunt | Photography: Grey Swan.
Performance dates *World Premiere
21 November-2 December 2023 at the Golden Goose Theatre, London.
★★★★
“With a talented cast that shines, and choreography that shimmers as time and place shift effortlessly, there is a fluidity of language and motion and ideas. Each actor brings their light to bear on this show and create an orchestral captivation. The simple, shifting set and haunting music work beautifully with these performers”
“David Pinner’s lyrical and literary piece does a valiant job at giving us an understanding of Hardy’s later life, with glimpses of his youth”
“The beauty of the comedic lines in this piece is that they are often spoken by the women in this play”
“What I really think of Thomas Hardy has changed after learning more about him. It is Emma for whom I have developed the greatest admiration. Perhaps in meeting your heroes, one discovers that it is often the people around them who truly make them.”
LONDON PUB THEATRES
“Pinner’s script has a lyrical flow, referencing Hardy’s poetry such as ‘The Dawn after the Dance’ and ‘The Dead Man Walking’ and lesser-known works as well”
“There is a Gothic touch, with traces of dark humour”
“the five-strong cast give it substantial shape in Julia Stubbs’ slick and engaging presentation”
“Dehn and Fitzpatrick spar like Edward Albee’s George and Martha, surrounded by their imaginary menagerie of cats”
“Dehn gives an inspired performance as Hardy, striking the right note of being somewhat unaware of his own excruciating behaviour”
“Fitzpatrick skilfully avoids throwing Emma into the role of victim and instead elevates the character into lead role material”
“They say that ‘behind every great man there is a great woman’. With Thomas Hardy there were two. At least. And a ghost thrown in for good measure. Pinner sheds light on these characters, but it is Stubbs’ production – and the performances – that really bring them to life”
THE SPY IN THE STALLS
“While references are made to Hardy’s work, you do not need to know it to follow the story – it is woven seamlessly into the script”
“All characters are fully drawn and strongly played by the talented cast”
“The script is engaging and lyrical, holding attention and flowing smoothly”
“The music and sound effects set scenes and express moods, and the light shows the brightness of the sea at Lyonesse to the chiaroscuro of ghostliness”
INDEPENDENT CATHOLIC NEWS
David Pinner’s plays have been widely performed in Britain – at the Fortune Theatre, Arts Theatre, Soho Poly, Lyric Hammersmith, Finborough Theatre, New End Theatre, Grace Theatre, Jermyn Street Theatre, Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh and at Lion Theatre, New York. He has had several plays broadcast on television and radio.
As an actor, he was trained at RADA, and he has appeared in many plays in the theatre and on television and radio.
His 1967 novel Ritual was a major inspiration for Anthony Shaffer’s 1973 film The Wicker Man. In 2014, David published The Wicca Woman, a sequel to Ritual.
Thomas Hardy (2 June 1840 – 11 January 1928) was an English novelist and poet. A Victorian realist in the tradition of George Eliot, he was influenced both in his novels and in his poetry by Romanticism, including the poetry of William Wordsworth. He was highly critical of much in Victorian society, especially the declining status of rural people in Britain, such as those from his native South West England.
While Hardy wrote poetry throughout his life and regarded himself primarily as a poet, his first collection was not published until 1898. Initially, he gained fame as the author of novels such as Far from the Madding Crowd (1874), The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886), Tess of the d’Urbervilles (1891) and Jude the Obscure (1895). During his lifetime, Hardy’s poetry was acclaimed by younger poets (particularly the Georgians) who viewed him as a mentor. After his death, his poems were lauded by Ezra Pound, W. H. Auden and Philip Larkin.
Photography by Grey Swan
To Womb It May Concern
