September 2018 - Let Us Entertain You: Separate Tables
Photo by Russell Maynor
As the year of 2018 is fast approaching, West End Productions has chosen their final presentation of the season. Terence Rattigan’s Separate Tables was first produced in London in 1954. A series of two one-acts, *set eighteen months apart in the lounge and dining room of a small hotel on the south coast of England, are “deftly woven together into an intelligent, handsome” comedy/drama. The play examines social attitudes towards lifestyles and behavior deemed morally reprehensible in 1950s Britain. Director, James Cady, remembers the first time he saw the production. “[I was first introduced to the work in] 1964 at the Pasadena Playhouse where I was a student – I was not in it and too young to direct it, but I had the pleasure of seeing it (as well as the movie). I remember it as an incredibly emotional experience.”
Cady has once again gather together some of Albuquerque’s finest actors. The leads of the production, newcomers. H.K. Phillips and Matthew Van Wettering, will be playing the leads, Ann and John. Cady shared what the duo will provide to the production. “Great acting and sensitivity that these two bring to all their work – we are blessed to have them in our theatre community. Each of these actors play two different leading roles – totally disparate in emotion, and outlook on life. The characters have in common: to get through life in spite of what is thrown at them, and at each other. Both Phillips and Van Wettering recently appeared in Shakespeare on the Plaza’s “As You Like It”. Not only will they play the roles of Ann and John, in Act 1, but they will also play the roles of Sybil and Major Pollock in Act 2. The production also stars newcomers Lauren Jehle and Robin Havens-Parker, a relocated actor from Washington, DC who has been a “welcome addition to the Albuquerque theatre community” shared Cady. Other notable performers are Margie Maes, Colleen Neary McClure, Ray Orley, Linda Sklov, Carolyn Ward, Carolyn Wickwire and Michael Weppler.
Cady’s reason for direct this play bring him back to when he first saw the production and what he can offer to have it jump off the stage. “It is a stunningly brilliant and provocative play evoking memories that haunt us all. There are lessons to be learned here about loneliness, compassion, prejudice and honesty which are all laid bare and are as relevant today as they were fifty years ago.” When it comes to what Cady wants the audience to leave the theater feeling, it is a very simple message, “I would like them to be grateful for what they have in life.”
Separate Tables will run at the North 4th Art Center on 4904 4th St. NW, from October 5th-28th, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, Sunday matinees at 2 PM. For more information visit www.westendproductions.org or purchase your tickets at https://holdmyticket.com/event/291672.