A benefit reading of Jerome Kilty’s play, “Dear Liar,” starring four-time Oscar nominee Marsha Mason and Emmy winner Brian Cox, directed by Broadway’s Mark Brokaw (“How I Learned to Drive”), will make its streaming debut at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1.
All ticket proceeds will support the Bucks County Playhouse Pandemic Campaign.
Nobody knows quite what went on between playwright (and vegetarian) George Bernard Shaw and the celebrated, yet temperamental English stage actress, Mrs. Patrick Campbell (Mrs. Pat) for whom he created Eliza Doolittle in “Pygmalion.”
But for 40 years of their very public lives, these two titanic personalities of the British theater carried on a very private affair through the exchange of letters.
Full of stinging wit and deep emotion, “Dear Liar” brings their epistolary relationship to life — revealing not only the ups and downs of their storied careers, but also illustrating the very stormy infatuation and magnetism that pulled these spirits together even through separation, hardship and heartbreak.
“Dear Liar” will be streamed via a private link sent to ticket buyers the day of the reading. Early bird tickets (until Aug. 31) are $25. Tickets purchased the day of the event are $35. Bucks County Playhouse subscribers who have transferred their season subscriptions to 2021 can view the reading at a reduced rate and will be notified by email.
Information and tickets can be found at
bcptheater.org/DearLiar. “Dear Liar” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
“When Mark Brokaw suggested we do a virtual reading of ‘Dear Liar’ by Jerome Kilty I thought it was a brilliant idea. Consisting of love letters, full of stormy emotions and Shavian wit, this play could best be realized in a virtual setting with the right cast. Thankfully, we have two consummate, award-winning actors, Marsha Mason and Brian Cox, to bring these extraordinary characters to life,” said Executive Producer Robyn Goodman.
“While we yearn to produce again on our historic and beloved Playhouse stage, we are proud to have this extraordinary team give new life to a text that lately has become rarely performed,” said Producing Director Alexander Fraser.
“We’re learning more and more about bringing our work directly into the home, and we are excited to add ‘Dear Liar’ to the Playhouse virtual programing library. We’ve been delighted to see our virtual audiences across the country grow. We hope this latest addition (will) attract theater-lovers in Great Britain as well!”
The Playhouse Pandemic Campaign has three goals: preserve and protect the historic Playhouse; maintain a core staff on payroll with benefits so it can return quickly to production when appropriate; and increase earned revenue by expanding restaurant operations into the front courtyard and along the river’s edge and move entertainment and education programming online.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage.
Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong.
Donate today.
