FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nov. 4, 2005 #159
Contact: Wandra Brooks Green
(816) 235-1601; greenwb@umkc.edu

Suspenseful, Politically-Charged Production “The Maid’s Tragedy” Coming to UMKC

Plot Leads to Revolution, Murder and Suicide

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The University of Missouri – Kansas City’s (UMKC) Theatre Department will present “The Maids’ Tragedy,” with previews beginning Dec. 3 and performances Dec. 7-11. Barry Kyle, Theatre Department professor, will direct the production.

Written in 17^th Century England, the theatrical shocker is the product of John Fletcher, a contemporary of Shakespeare, and the mysterious Francis Beaumont. Regarded as a politically-charged production by critics, “Maid’s” tells the story of a wedding set to take place until the King orders the bride-to-be, Aspatia, to be replaced by the dazzling Evadne. However, Aspatia searches for an explanation, and when key figures in the country understand what has occurred, it leads to revolution, murder and mass suicide.

Kyle has directed numerous productions in Stratford and London during the last 20 years, including “The Taming of the Shrew” and “Richard II,” guiding actors such as Jeremy Irons, Patrick Stewart and Ben Kingsley. Kyle has directed productions in major theaters in Berlin, Paris, Moscow, and Tel Aviv. He was the first Western director to work at the National Theatre in Prague where he directed Shakespeare’s “King Lear.”

Previews for “Maid’s” are scheduled on Dec. 3, 4 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. Performances are scheduled as follows:

Wednesday, Dec. 7       7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 8           7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 9                7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 10          2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 11            2 p.m.

            All performances will take place in the Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry Street, Studio 116. Tickets can be purchased at the Central Ticket Office at 816-235-6222 or by visiting www.umkc.edu/theatre (see Playbill).

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 14,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students.  UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a three-part mission: visual and performing arts, health sciences, and urban affairs.

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This information is available to people with speech or hearing impairments by calling Relay Missouri at (800) 735-2966 (TT) or (800) 735-2466 (voice).