Kennedy Theatre

Media Release

Department of Theatre and Dance
University of Hawai'i at Manoa
1770 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822

Contact: Jessica L. Jacob, Publicity Director
Phone: (808) 956-2598
Fax: (808) 956-4234
Box Office: (808) 956-7655 (v/t)
email: theatre-pr@hawaii.edu

January 29, 2004
IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FANTASY AND REALITY COLLIDE IN "FAIR ROSAMUND AND HER MURDERER/NECROPOLIS"

The University of Hawai'i at Manoa's Department of Theatre and Dance presents "Fair Rosamund and Her Murderer/Necropolis" as the final production of Late Night Theatre's 2003-2004 season. A tapestry of two one-act plays by Don Nigro, this production combines the dark fairy tale "Fair Rosamund and Her Murderer" with the contemporary drama "Necropolis" to explore different views of love and desire. The works are compiled and directed by M A Richard, a graduate student in Asian Directing at UHM. "Fair Rosamund and Her Murderer/Necropolis" will be performed at the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre on March 6, 12, and 13 at 11 p.m., and March 7 at 8 p.m. A post-show discussion with the director and cast will follow the Friday, March 12 performance.

Set in medieval England, "Fair Rosamund and Her Murderer" paints a ghostly and lyrical portrait of tragic love. King Henry II has hidden Rosamund, his beautiful mistress, deep in a labyrinth to protect her from his jealous Queen. The Queen hires a Murderer to penetrate the maze and kill her rival; however, despite his duty, the Murderer falls in love with Rosamund instead.

Woven into the text of "Fair Rosamund and Her Murderer" is the realistic, hard-edged "Necropolis." In a war-torn Middle Eastern country, an American named Post meets Anna, a Middle Easterner, and has an overnight affair. The following morning, Post learns that Anna is a sniper - a systematic killer of those she considers a threat to her people. As the two struggle with the consequences of their encounter, their affair becomes a plaintive plea for human connection. Post is eager to "rescue" Anna from her life while Anna denies her need for others.

Director M A Richard has combined Don Nigro's two plays because he believes that "while they are not obviously similar, the subtext and archetypal power of each work is enhanced by contrast with the other. Combined, these two stories produce a bittersweet, ambiguous perspective on need, desire, ideals and romantic love." Richard comes to UHM from the University of Rhode Island, where he graduated with a BFA in Theatre specializing in acting, stage management, and directing. Richard recently staged the complex fight scenes in Kennedy Theatre's acclaimed production of "'Tis Pity She's a Whore."

Tickets for "Fair Rosamund and Her Murderer/Necropolis" go on sale one hour before showtime each night of performance at the door to the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre. Ticket prices are $8 general, $7 seniors, military, UH faculty/staff, non-UHM students, $3 UHM students with validated Spring 2004 Student ID. Latecomers will not be admitted once the performance has begun. For more information, including disability access, call the Kennedy Theatre Box Office at 956-7655 (voice/text).

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"Fair Rosamund and Her Murderer/Necropolis"

When: March 6, 12* & 13th at 11:00PM *Post-Show Rap

Where: UHM's Earle Ernst Lab Theatre

$8 regular,