SCENA THEATRE LAUNCHES ITS FINAL PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR:
STEVEN BERKOFF'S SCREWBALL SATIRE: SINK THE BELGRANO!
Washington, DC, June 23, 2010 — The Directors of SCENA Theatre are excited to close the 2010 season with the DC-area premiere of Steven Berkoff's outrageous, yet scathing satire of the U.K. during the Falklands War: Sink the Belgrano!.
Artistic Director, Robert McNamara likens author Berkoff as a British “outsider” who subverted and exposed the underbelly of his native English society and establishment. McNamara stated, “Berkoff is a master at mimicking the idiosyncrasies of both the political powers and the lower classes, and Scena’s production provides an intriguing — and humorous — investigation of both.
Sink the Belgrano! (1986) is a bold production by SCENA replete with bawdy sailors, calculating politicians, sexual inuendos, raucous song and expressive dance. This controversial play considers the British lower classes under Margaret Thatcher’s rule during the Falklands War of 1982. Starring in the lead role is Washington-area favourite and Helen Hayes Award winner Nanna Ingvarsson. Her portrayal of Thatcher is fresh and spot on — and it will certainly raise eyebrows in the DC theatre scene. Similarly, the entire cast delivers a fun, bold, and raucous performance that will energize audiences.
The Falklands War was the result of the Argentine invasion of the British-owned Falkland Islands. "Britannia rules the waves" — But, Belgrano! dares to ask, does Thatcher merely "waive the rules" of international warfare with the sinking of the Argentine naval ship Belgrano with a nuclear-powered submarine? This highly scatological satire of war and corruption is full of Shakespearean bastard rhymes and Cockney slang. Beyond its wildly entertaining nature, in the end, this production proves to be a uniquely clever anti-war play with timeless themes and bold questions by the famous author Berkoff — the “Bad Boy” of British Theatre.
Official Run: Aug 25 – Sept. 12 (Wed – Sat: at 8pm; Sun: 3pm)*
Location: H Street Playhouse, 1365 H Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
Press Info: Email PeggyKearns@hotmail.com, or Call 571.216.5136
Ticket Prices: $25 - $40 ($18 on Thursdays for Young Professionals 30 & under)
Box Office: Buy tickets online at www.scenatheater.org or call 703-683-2824
FUN EVENTS: “Cockney Cabaret” is a bawdy after-party celebrating low-brow Britain.
Enjoy casual snacks, beer, rum, music and wine included with your ticket.
(Next "Cockney Cabaret": Saturday Sept. 4 after the 8pm show.)
“Thirsty Thursdays” introduce great international works to a new generation.
Young professionals get a discount ticket and free drink any Thursday.
“Humpday Hellraisers” extend $15 tickets + $3 drinks to YP's 30 and under.
Young professionals get a discount ticket and free drink any Thursday.
Cast & Crew: The cast of Belgrano! includes an All-Star lineup of Washington-area favorites including Helen Hayes Award winner Nanna Ingvarsson, John Geoffrion, Michael Miyazaki, Mick McGuire, Regen Wilson, David Paglin, John Tweel, James Finley, Doug Krehbel, Sissel Bakken and Kim Curtis. The Designers include Michael C. Stepowany (Set), Stephanie Petagno (Costumes), Brittany Diliberto (Lighting) James Bigbee Garver (Sound), Erik Trester (Projections), Sissel Bakken (Vocal Coach), Seth Finkle (Production Manager), Emily Ann Jablonski (Assistant Director) and Juely Siegel (Stage Manager).
Author Steven Berkoff was born in 1937 and he is a well-known British actor, director, and playwright. His memorable acting roles, which include villains in Octopussy, A Clockwork Orange, and Rambo: First Blood Part II, made him a popular film actor. He is also a very prolific playwright, mostly known for his stage adaptations of European classics of Kafka and Aeschylus. Other Berkoff plays include an adaptation to the stage of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher; East; West; and Decadence. Berkoff’s provocative “in your face” performance style has made him a much discussed and controversial figure in contemporary theatre. His plays are equally provocative.
About SCENA Theatre
SCENA brings the best in international theatre to Washington, DC and stimulates cultural exchange between theatre artists, locally and worldwide. Founded in 1987 under the leadership of Artistic Director Robert McNamara and Managing Director Amy Schmidt, SCENA produces an annual season of plays, seasonally staged readings, as well as a Workshop Series aimed at developing new works from around the globe. To learn more about our mission or past stage productions, please click on the "About Scena" link to your left.