Arts & Leisure
York Readers' Theatre returns with three performances this weekend
York Readers' Theatre will present "Retreat from Moscow" this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the York Public Library. Pictured are cast members, from left, Maureen Daley, Jesiah Hammond and Joe Dominguez.
Courtesy photo
The York Readers' Theatre has performed several works in recent years, transforming the library's Community Meeting Room into an intimate theatre.
By definition, readers' theatre is a rehearsed and directed production of a play in which the actors read, rather than memorize, their scripts. However, besides the absence of memorization, the presentations are every bit as compelling as any live theatre production, as the performers bring their roles to life with full emotion.
In the intimate Meeting Room Theatre, actors speak their dialogue to the audience. In turn, those who attend the productions are drawn into the plot as though they were in conversation with the characters.
As Readers Theatre members are quick to point out, the connection between the audience and cast becomes palpable and intense, as the audience is both in the play and watching it at the same time.
"Retreat from Moscow" uses Napoleon's retreat from Moscow in 1812, which has been described as one of the most tragic events in the history of warfare, as a multi-faceted metaphor for the emotional pain and suffering that a family experiences when confronted with divorce.
Recently, acclaimed actors John Lithgow, Eileen Atkins and Ben Chaplin starred in the Broadway production of the play.
In the York production, the actors are Joe Dominguez, Maureen Daley and Jesiah Hammond, all trained artists who volunteer their time to bring rich and meaningful plays to life through York Readers' Theatre, without the major expense of a full production and lengthy rehearsals.
The director is local resident David Newman, a professional director who recently retired as head of the Drama Department at St. Paul's School in Concord, N.H., and has directed other Readers' Theatre productions. A lively and exciting dialogue is sure to ensue when Newman leads a discussion with the audience and actors after each production.
This weekend will include three performances of the York Readers' Theatre's latest presentation on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17 and 18, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 19, at 3 p.m.
Admission is free, although donations will be accepted. For more information on this special performance, call the York Public Library at 363-2818 or visit www.york.lib.me.us.
