Scottish Premiere in September 2002
“What’s so great about the truth? The truth hurts people. Try lying for a change. It’s the currency of the world.”
One of the most talked about plays of recent years.
An international hit in over 30 countries.
Set in the mid-90’s CLOSER follows four characters through four years of emotional turmoil.
Obituary writer Dan and vulnerable young stripper Alice meet following a minor car accident and fall in love. Months later, Dan is drawn to photographer Anna as he gets his photo taken for the cover of his new book. Dermatologist Larry enters a relationship with Anna after a case of mistaken identity in an internet chat room.
And that’s just the beginning. Each character searches for some kind of intimacy to save them from their isolation, yet they never seem to get closer.
“Ever seen a human heart? It looks like a fist wrapped in blood.”
BACKGROUND
Marber’s clever use of language, and a very contemporary idiom that can shock provides an unflinchingly honest expose of modern relationships, and an icy commentary on the dangers of mistaking physical intimacy for emotional closeness.
CLOSER is a stunning look at contemporary love and betrayal with resonance for anyone that has loved, lost, cheated or been hurt. “I had a choice and I chose to be selfish” This powerful play examines difficult, painful and adult issues with honesty, integrity and humour, and due to it’s graphic language, is recommended for adults only.
VENUES
- Bedlam Theatre, 11b Bristo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 1EZ, 12-14 September @ 7.30pm, £8 / £5, Tel: 0131 225 9893
- Paisley Arts Centre, New Street, Paisley, PA1 1EZ, 17th September @ 7.30pm, £7 / £3.50, Tel: 0141 887 1010
- Cumbernauld Theatre, Braehead Road, Kildrum, Cumbernauld, 18 September @ 7.45pm, £8 / £5, Tel: 01236 732887
- Carnegie Hall, East Port, Dunfermline, KY12 7JA, 19 September @ 7.30pm, £7.50 / Fifestyle £6/5, Tel: 01383 314000
- Motherwell Civic Theatre, Airbles Road, Motherwell, 20 September @ 7.30pm, £8 / 6, Tel: 01698 267515
- Howden Park Centre, Livingston, EH54 6AE, 21 September @ 7.30pm, £8 / £5, Tel: 01506 433634
- The Byre Theatre, 36 Abbey Street, St Andrews, KY16 9LA, 1 October @ 8pm, £8 / £6, Tel: 01334 475000
- Falkirk Town Hall, Steeple Box Office, High Street, Falkirk, 3 October @ 7.30pm, £6 / £4, Tel: 01324 506850
- Greenock Arts Guild, Campbell Street, Greenock, PA16 8AP, 4 October @ 7.30pm, £8 / £6, Tel: 01475 723038
- East Kilbride Arts Centre, Old Coach Road, East Kilbride, 6 October @ 8.00pm, £6 / 4, Tel: 01355 26100
- The Arches, 253 Argyle St, Glasgow, G2 8DL, 9-12 October, £7 / £5, Tel: 0901 022 0300, (calls cost 25p per minute)
CREDITS
Writer Patrick Marber | Director Peter Mackie Burns
Larry Mark Coleman | Alice Susan Worsfold | Anna Fiona Ormiston | Dan Marc Oliver
Production Manager Abigail Gemmell | Assistant to Director Thomas Gemmell | Design Consultant Andrew Burt | Lighting Designer Abigail McMillan | Photography Alan Bryant www.alanbryantphotography.com
REVIEWS
The Herald : Scalpel-precise production from TheatreFusion, which would put many main stage efforts to shame… This is a major play in a very special, up-close and personal production… Make a date to see Closer immediately.
Scotland on Sunday : TheatreFusion’s accomplished new touring production… treads between the lightly comic and the deeply emotive…these first Scottish performances of Closer still present us with a fine insight into a play which excavates the humour, pleasure and tragedy of sexual and emotional relations without a hint of misanthropic cynicism
The Scotsman : stark, clear and beautifully disciplined production
Audience : an excellent, powerful play which has been very well produced and performed. Mark Coleman is particularly impressive… brilliantly written, well staged… excellent play very well performed
OTHER INFORMATION
Reviews of original London production
“On the surface, Closer is brisk, urbane, witty, obscene, modern, quotable, slick; beneath the skin, it is deeply felt, painful, sad, and wise . . . It is about sexual jealousy and sexual desire; and it is keenly alert to human isolation even within intense relationships”
Financial Times
“Anyone who has loved and lost, anyone who has experienced infidelity or felt love die, will watch this play with stomach churning pangs of recognition . . . the writing seems to have been ripped straight from the gut. In contrast, the construction has great formal beauty, consisting of a series of duologues which gradually move the action forward. . . The sense of artistic control is formidable . . . I’d be astonished if there’s a better new play this year.”
Daily Telegraph
“Brutally frank, Scathingly funny. A play of and for our times.”
Hollywood Reporter
“Smart, sexy sublimely funny…”
New York Post
Winner of international awards, including:
1999 Laurence Olivier Award — Best New Play
Evening Standard award for Best Comedy 1997
Time Out award for Best New Play 1997
1999 New York Drama Critics Circle award for Best Foreign Play
1999 Tony Award nomination for Best Play
1999 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Play
1999 Drama Desk Award for Best Play
MUSIC HEARD IN THIS PRODUCTION
TheatreFusion 