Event Description Drexel University’s Theater Program and EgoPo Classic Theatre Company present Abrahamse & Meyer Production Company’s Desire Under the Elms By Eugene O’Neill
Thursday, October 4 @ 7 pm Friday, October 5 @ 7 pm Saturday, October 6 @ 7 pm Sunday, October 7 @ 2 pm
Free for Drexel students/faculty/staff General Admission $32 Non-Drexel students $15 Mandell Theater
In partnership with South Africa’s Abrahamse & Meyer Production’s and Philadelphia’s EgoPo Classic Theatre, Drexel University’s Theatre Program will present a unique South African adaptation of Eugene O’Neill’s classic, Desire Under the Elms. Written by one of the world’s greatest playwrights and the father of modern American Drama, this tragedy of love, lust, passion, and possession still ranks as one of the greatest classics of the American stage. Eugene O’Neill had a life-long fascination with South Africa, which inspired director Fred Abrahamse’s choice to transpose the original New England setting of the play to the Eastern Cape in the 1890s. Old Man Cabot, a direct descendant of the 1820 Settlers, returns to the family farm with his new Xhosa bride, Abbie Putnam. This sets the stage for a dynamic power struggle between Cabot’s son, Eben, and Abbie concerning ownership of the land.
The production features an evocative original score by celebrated composer Charl-Johan Lingenfelder and detailed period costumes by award-winning designer Marcel Meyer. Described by the New York Times as “superb…inventive…and entrancing,” Desire Under the Elms is one of the must-see productions in Philadelphia this season.
Abrahamse & Meyer Productions was founded in 2006 by Fred Abrahamse and Marcel Meyer. It is a leading force in independent classical theatre with regular performances across South Africa, Europe and the United States of America.
During this week-long residency, company members of Abrahamse & Meyer Productions will participate in professional masterclasses and panel discussions.
This program is made possible in part by a grant from the Rankin Scholars In Residence Program. |