SPRING SEASON 2000 AT THE DUKES
The Dukes celebrates the new year with two extraordinary theatre productions. Complementing a busy catalogue of film screenings, these are two fantastic plays, each written by a great contemporary author who has also had huge success on screen.
Dukes Artistic Director Ian Hastings, said: The Dukes will stride into the new century with confidence having brought the old year to a successful close In the Spring we have two extraordinary plays produced in Lancaster plus the pick of world cinema. Our two theatre pieces are by internationally respected contemporary authors who have also been highly influential on screen: David Mamet - one of America's finest writers - and Alan Bennet, who needs no introduction as he is a national institution.'
David Mamet's AMERICAN BUFFALO in the studio 17 February-11 March 2000
The Dukes' Spring 2000 theatre season opens with David Mamet's gripping and influential play American Buffalo. In a run-down junk shop some small-time criminals and poker players plan a heist. Their mutual lack of trust makes it difficult for them to co-ordinate the crime American Buffalo's easy
talk of loyalty and honour among thieves set the style for later movies such as Scorsese's Goodfellas or Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs. But don't be fooled -Don, Bobby and Teach would do better to thieve some grey matter!
This is a hard-hitting production and like the characters, the language is colourful to say the least. American Buffalo is an unmissable live theatre experience. First performed in 1975, this play has been a major influence on two generations of playwrights and filmmakers
David Mamet is also the author of Glengarry, Glen ROSS Sexual Perversity in Chicago and Oleanna. Theatre director, screenwriter and now film director (The Winslow Boy), he is a leading figure in American film and theatre.
Alan Bennett's TALKING HEADS
16 March - 8 April 2000
The Dukes' second production for Spring is Allan Bennettís Talking Heads.
These poignant stories are rich with comic observation and we have chosen three of the very best.
In the first piece, A Lady of Leflers, Miss Ruddock is obsessed with writing letters of complaint. But in one of her letters she goes too far and finds herself in trouble. This is a delightful tale of how her pre-occupation with other peoples' lives brings about unexpected changes to her own.
The next piece is A Chip in the Sugar which centres on mild mannered, middle aged Graham and life with his mother. Their routine is interrupted when Mr Tumbull arrives. Will life ever be the same again?
Bed Among the Lentils is the last story. Susan is a vicar's wife. She has her own views on the role of religion, and a rather unconventional way of expressing them.
All three tales offer something for everybody. Millions watched Talking Heads when they were produced for television, but few will have had the chance to see them brought to life on-stage.
American Buffalo and Talking Heads will be two very different but equally powerful live theatre experiences.
FILM AT THE DUKES
The Spring season of movies is more intensive than ever, with a total of 99 screenings in January and February alone Choose from new prints of classic movies like Ken Loachís Kes (PG) to latest releases like the new David Lynch, Straight Story (U), or Steven Soderbergh's ecstatically received The Limey (15) starring Terence Stamp and Peter Fonda. There's the Brit Asian comedy East is East (15) - as funny as Goodness Gracious Me - and the poetic realism of Lynne Ramsay's Rattatcher (15), set in inner-city Glasgow. Films Officer Tim Young has also put together a full series of film education talks and events (open to all) and themed retrospectives. Nothing costs more than £4 - but if you want to see all the films it's well worth joining the Dukes Film Club for extra discounts. For the full programme, times and prices call the Dukes Box Office.
Ends. 6.12.99