|
|
|
"We're all in it 'till we understand."
ARTicles - cast - photos - synopsis - links - poster In an ordinary London flat, a desperate man is driven to commit an unspeakable act. Can he ever be free from the retribution of society, or will the legacy of the deed haunt him for all his life? Bond's magnificent play, originally written for television, is a scorching investigation of the forces of repression, and the quest for freedom, which bind our lives. Edward Bond is one of Britain's most lauded and controversial playwrights. His modern tragedies are landmarks in contemporary political drama. His writing is stark and bold, but shot through with gleams of redemption and hope, which transform his gritty urban landscapes into theatrical poetry. Artistic Director Robert Woodruff's recent productions at the A.R.T. have included Oedipus, The Sound of a Voice, and Highway Ulysses, which demonstrated his ability to bring heart and humanity to some of the provocative questions of our existence. Olly's Prison contains scenes of violence and is not suitable for children. |
Bill Camp. Photo: Richard Feldman. |
|
|
|
In a small, working-class apartment in London, Mike tries to communicate with his teenage daughter, Sheila. She remains entirely unresponsive, and ultimately Mike commits an extreme act which lands him in prison. Once there, Mike attempts to understand his behavior, journeying first to the brink of self-destruction, then to reconciliation and redemption. Meanwhile Sheila's former boyfriend Frank, now a policeman, sets out to take vengeance on Mike. They find Olly, a young criminal, who becomes the pawn in Mike's search for justice and Frank's for revenge. Caught in an endless cycle of violence and retribution, slaves to a system that grinds them down, the men and women of Olly’s Prison strive to create a world of order and humanity amidst a society of brutality and chaos. |
|
| Special thanks to production sponsor Rebecca Gold Milikowsky | |
|
This page updated April 24, 2005 |
|