Tagora That’s why we shout and scream at each other. Clears the air. A kind of truth begins to emerge. We see clearer.
Tagora presents “The Argument” by William Boyd.
Tickets now on sale.
Pip and Meredith have had a bust-up. It was only about their opinion of a film, but it’s led to more significant differences coming to light. Pip has been having an affair for the past three months with a young colleague at work. Meredith’s slate doesn’t seem to be entirely clean either.
As their families and friends become embroiled in Pip and Meredith’s separation, past prejudices, harsh judgements and painful truths come to light. The arguments that ensue go beyond just being about Pip and Meredith, and what they should do about their marriage.
In nine taut scenes, William Boyd explores what it is to argue with those we love – and those we should love. He looks at our propensity to judge others and our power to hurt. Alongside this, he shows how it can sometimes be the superficial problems in a relationship that keep it going.
Pip et Meredith ont eu une scène de ménage. C’était seulement à propos de leur opinion sur un film, mais des différends plus importants sont apparus au grand jour. Pip a une liaison avec une jeune collègue de travail depuis trois mois. Meredith, elle aussi, a quelques squelettes dans le placard.
Alors que Pip et Meredith entraînent leurs familles et leurs amis dans leur séparation, des critiques sévères et des vérités difficiles à avaler font surface. Les querelles qui s’ensuivent dépassent le simple cadre du mariage de Pip et Meredith et de leur futur en commun.
En neuf scènes sous haute tension, William Boyd explore ce que cela signifie que de se disputer avec ceux que nous aimons – et ceux que nous devrions aimer. Il examine notre tendance à juger les autres et notre capacité à leur faire du mal. En même temps, il montre comment ce sont les problèmes les plus superficiels qui font parfois durer une relation.
Cast
| Adrian started acting last century as a walk-on/walk-off extra in Tagora’s bilingual productions of Tale of Two Cities and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He has (with increasing difficulty) been playing roles of zany youthful men ever since. His favourite characters have been the obtuse play director in Harlequinade who fights his co-star wife and his actors in order to star in his own production of Romeo and Juliet, and the even more obtuse Head of Department in a British Government espionage agency in The Dog It Was That Died (pictured), who significantly fails to stop the spy he runs from committing suicide. He spends his extensive spare-time with Vincenza, his wife, in their Alsatian farmhouse in Schiltigheim trying not to be obtuse. | Adrian Butler |
Selina Kenny | Originally from Dublin, Selina joined Tagora in 2010, playing Agnes in their production of Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel. It was her first time on stage but she was bitten and smitten that first year. Since then, she’s kissed Picasso, been to War, rallied the troops, spent a penny – a Pretty Penny that is – recorded for the BBC, been to a Russian Orchard and back, planted letters and caused people to get their garters crossed, reminded Scrooge of his past, sang a bit of Brecht in Bisch’, been married, separated and abandoned, lost her sight back in Ballybeg as Molly Sweeney AND … carried a spear. Quite a lot to fit in when you‘re a full time teacher at the European School; and that’s been her most important role in Strasbourg to date. When she’s not on stage at the Cube, you’ll find her rummaging for treasure in car boot sales everywhere. |
| Bridget is now enjoying a well-deserved retirement after nearly 30 years on the Council of Europe staff. She joined Tagora in 1997! and has been privileged to play many wonderful characters and to be married to several husbands. Her first role was in When We Are Married by J.B. Priestley. Her favourites? For the play, Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel; and for the role, Martha, in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee. Lastly, her nomination for “Best family adventure” goes to Cinderella, Tagora’s 2003 production. Bridget has also recently acted in two French plays with the company l’Apostrophe! Oh, and in case you’re wondering: her favourite husband? On that subject she maintains a diplomatic silence. | Bridget O’Loughlin |
Niall Sheerin | This summer Niall went to the Crossroads and got down on his knees. The devil didn’t show up, so don’t ask him to play the blues. His US roadtrip also enabled him to exorcise a ghost from his jury duty in 12 Angry Men by finally getting to the ball game at Yankees stadium. He has been known to cast his mind back to that summer of ’36 and all the Dancing at Lughnasa. He first trod the boards with Tagora in Play by Samuel Beckett. To think, we were never together. Never woke together on a May morning … |
Rob Simmons | Rob has been Tagora’s lighting designer and technician since 2012. His first role on stage at 10 years old as Buttons led him to make theatre a lifelong pastime, whether on stage, behind the technician’s desk or more recently in the director’s chair. Originally from London, he is an English teacher specialising in scientific and technical English, and has been a proud Strasbourgeois since 2007. |
Lia Vratsida | Born in Athens and having lived in different cities before coming to Strasbourg for work, Lia has called this vibrant city home for the past 12 years. From miming and managing to convey Eurydice’s complex emotions with just a raised eyebrow and a well-timed sigh, to playing a tavern owner-turned-concerned citizen, was certainly a diverse range of roles! Who knew that serving imaginary drinks and worrying about the town’s issues could be such great preparation for stepping into the spotlight for the first time in a real role? When not indulging in films and binge-watching the next hot TV series, she enjoys the outdoors, game nights and discovering new cities, always seeking new ways to explore creativity and connect with the world. |
Times and dates
- Thursday 21 November, 20:30
- Friday 22 November, 20:30
- Saturday 23 November, 17:00
- Sunday 24 November, 17:00
Théâtre du Cube noir, 4 allée du Sommerhof, 67200 Strasbourg. Représentations en langue anglaise.
Click here to book!
Graphic: Robin Davis, with many thanks.
