Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf by University of Adelaide Theatre Guild

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Wed 12 Aug 2015 - Sat 22 Aug 2015

First performed in 1962 in New York City, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf provided critical insight into American society. Audiences were either entertained or shocked at its portrayal of how the trappings of success often concealed real problems in the community. It is one of the greatest dramas of American theatre of all time receiving both the Tony Award and the New York Critic's Award for Best Play.

Albee's masterpiece about a disillusioned academic and his caustic wife reveals the raw truth underneath the phony exterior that was portrayed on popular American television shows in the 1960's like Leave it to Beaver, My Three Sons and Father Knows Best, which emphasised the importance of a happy family life. Many Americans believed success was measured according to your career, position, the house, car or the children you had, were realistically portrayed in such TV programs.

Albee was adopted by a wealthy family and raised in an affluent suburb of New York, with its rich competitive social scene. He resisted this pretentious culture and its trappings finding it extremely shallow and unfulfilling. After completing his expensive schooling he moved to Greenwich Village in New York City and joined the avant-garde art scene. His plays received considerable praise. They include The Zoo Story, A Delicate Balance and Three Tall Women.

In 1962, Albee's play Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf was loaded with what was then considered colourful dialogue that included "goddamn" and "son-of-a-bitch", along with "screw you", "up yours", "great nipples", and "hump the hostess". Considering the play opened on Broadway during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the audiences may well have gone to the theater to forget or escape the threat of pending nuclear war. Instead they were confronted with language and situations they were more likely to be part of experimental theater.

Although many people may be familiar with the film Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, directed by Mike Nicholls, starring Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and George Segal, which won five awards, the Theatre Guild production, with direction by Geoff Brittain brings an exciting adaptation, which remains faithful to the Albee's script is bound to shock and amuse.

Cast: Jessica Carroll, Mark Healy, Chris Leech and Julie Quick.

Tickets $28 Full / $23 Concession
ONLINE www.adelaide.edu.au/theatreguild (fee applies)
Tickets at the door subject to availability (cash only)
Group Bookings 10 at concession rate from 8313 5999 only

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!date 12/08/2015 -- 22/08/2015
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