stage
TWO WAY MIRROR
The Gate Arts Centre, Cardiff
Wed 7-Fri 9 May
Who would see just one Arthur Miller play when they could see two? This is the thinking behind Red Rope Theatre
Company’s new production of Two Way Mirror.
Schoolbook staple Miller, the renowned American playwright and husband to Marilyn Monroe, is remembered as
one of the 20th century’s greatest writers. Two Way Mirror consists of two plays, both of which are inspired by
Miller’s troubled relationship with Monroe.
This first of the two shows, Elegy For A Lady, is a subtle but moving account of two people whose lives pass
briefly. As a customer enters a shop, with the aim of buying a parting gift for his dying lover, the woman serving
him curiously takes on the characteristics of the man’s mistress.
The second show, Some Kind of Love Story, brings with it a very different flavour with a tongue-in-cheek film noir
feel. A private detective attempts to solve a mystery, but his close relationship with a lady of the night could make
or break the case.
This show is Red Rope’s début production and director, Matt Grinter, is clearly a passionate Miller fan wishing to
do the scripts justice.
“I have been a huge fan of Arthur Miller’s work since I appeared in The Crucible at school,” explains Grinter. “His
writing not only moved and inspired me but was a large part of the reason I initially made the leap from wanting to
be a rock’n’roll legend to finding my place on stage.
“The productions [in Two Way Mirror] emphasize for me exactly what I love about theatre. They start with
wonderful writing from one of the 20th century’s greatest writers and have the potential ability to transport,
captivate and move greatly any audience member that comes to see them.”
Tickets: £10/£9. Info: 029 2048 3344 / www.thegate.org.uk HEATHER ARNOLD
pic: A.T. SCHAEFER
NABUCCO
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Sat 31 May, Sun 8 June, Thurs 12 June
+ Sat 14 June
Giuseppe Verdi’s contemporary, Otto
Nicolai, described the composer in the
following way: “He scores like a fool... and
he must have the heart of a donkey.”
Well if that’s the case, we should get more
donkeys writing operas, because Verdi’s
Nabucco was a smash hit when it opened
in 1842, with political themes and wellknown musical numbers which are still
relevant today.
Produced by the Welsh National Opera, the
show is scheduled for four performances
at the Wales Millennium Centre over a
two-week period. While it may not be the
most famous of Verdi’s operas (Rigoletto
is perhaps better known), it was the work
which put him on the map, garnering critical
and commercial success at the time.
Opera aficionados will be offered a
contemporary take on the opera’s biblical
plot. The original story follows the
conquering and subsequent exile of the
Israelites by the titular king, who claims to
be a god after getting struck by lightning.
This version sees the story transplanted
to a modern-day setting, and fans of Verdi
should relish the opportunity to experience
one of the composer’s early successes
first-hand.
Tickets: £6-£41.50. Info: 029 2063 5000 /
www.wno.org.uk (GG)
BUZZ 42
pic: PHOEBE BECHEONG
MATA HARI: FEMALE SPY
The Rive