The Exorcist (play)
| The Exorcist | |
|---|---|
| Written by | John Pielmeier based on the novel by William Peter Blatty |
| Date premiered | 3 July 2012 |
| Place premiered | Geffen Playhouse, Los Angeles |
| Genre | Horror |
The Exorcist is a play by John Pielmeier based on the novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty, and is part of The Exorcist franchise. The story centres around a young girl, Regan, who has been subject to demonic possession. Her mother, Chris, seeks out to the church to perform an exorcism.
The play made its world premiere in July 2012 at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. In October 2016 the play will make its UK premiere at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.
Production history
In February 2008, American playwright John Pielmeier expressed an interest in adapting William Peter Blatty's novel of the same name into a play and soon met with Blatty. He then began working on a script for the play, in which the first draft was completed in ten days.[1]
The play had its world premiere at the Gil Gates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles from July 3 until August 12, 2012. It was directed by Tony Award winning theatre director, John Doyle, designed by Scott Pask, lighting design by Jane Cox, sound design by Dan Moses Schreier with music by Sir John Tavener. Teller (of magicians Penn & Teller) served as creative consultant. The production starred Brooke Shields as Chris, Richard Chamberlain as Father Merrin and David Wilson Barnes as Father Damien.[2]
In 2016 it was announced that the play will make its UK premiere at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, produced in association with Bill Kenwright from 21 October to 5 November 2016.[3] It will be a new production directed by the award-winning director Sean Mathias, designed by Anna Fleischle (2016 Oliver Award winning designer for Hangmen), lighting design by Tim Mitchell, music and sound design by London Road composer Adam Cork, with illusions by Ben Hart. It was announced that Jenny Seagrove will play Chris, Peter Bowles will play Father Merrin and Adam Garcia will play Father Damien.[4] Sir Ian McKellen provides the pre-recorded voice of the devil in this production.
Characters and cast
| Character | Geffen Playhouse[5]
World Premiere, 2012 |
Birmingham Repertory Theatre[6]
UK Premiere, 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| Chris MacNeil | Brooke Shields | Jenny Seagrove |
| Father Merrin | Richard Chamberlain | Peter Bowles |
| Father Damien Karras | David Wilson Barnes | Adam Garcia |
| Regan MacNeil | Emily Yetter | Claire Louise Connolly |
| Doctor Strong | Stephen Bogardus | Todd Boyce |
| Doctor Klein | Tom Neils | Mitchel Mullen |
| Father Joe | Manoel Felciano | Joseph Wilkins |
| Burke Dennings | Harry Groener | Trystram Wymark |
| Carla | Roslyn Ruff | n/a |
Critical reception
The Los Angeles production received mixed reviews from the critics, but the audiences responded enthusiastically. Due to this, Pielmeier has stated that he has made a major re-write on the script in preparation for a second production.[7]
The Birmingham production has received mixed to positive reviews from the critics and audiences.
References
- ↑ "The Exorcist | John Pielmeier". johnpielmeier.com. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
- ↑ Playhouse, Geffen. "The Exorcist at Geffen Playhouse | Best Live Shows and Theatrical Performances in Los Angeles". geffenplayhouse.org. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
- ↑ "The Exorcist to make UK stage premiere in new Birmingham Rep season | News | The Stage". 2016-05-18. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
- ↑ Ltd, Made Media. "Full Cast & Creative Team Announced For The Most Terrifying Show This Year at Birmingham Repertory Theatre". www.birmingham-rep.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
- ↑ Playhouse, Geffen. "Show Cast". geffenplayhouse.org. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
- ↑ Ltd, Made Media. "Full Cast & Creative Team Announced For The Most Terrifying Show This Year at Birmingham Repertory Theatre". www.birmingham-rep.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
- ↑ "The Exorcist | John Pielmeier". johnpielmeier.com. Retrieved 2016-09-30.