Prior to Edinburgh, it will have a short preview run at London's Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate, beginning performances July 23 for a run through July 26.
The play revolves around the "true story of Jane Fonda's controversial efforts to end the Vietnam War. The actress, who was vocal in her opposition to the Vietnam War, went to the capital city of North Vietnam, Hanoi in 1972 to call worldwide public attention to the Nixon Administration’s cover-up of US policy of deliberately bombing the country's vital system of dikes. During that trip she made radio broadcasts denouncing as a war crime the U.S. use of antipersonnel bombs banned by the Hague Convention, and visited US POWs. On the final day of her trip, she was photographed laughing and clapping astride a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun. This activity by Fonda caused enormous controversy and galvanized a huge hate campaign amongst the US military and supporters."
The play focuses on a little-known event which occurred in Waterbury, Connecticut June 18, 1988, where Fonda confronted a room full of hostile war veteran’s intent on boycotting the filming of her movie "Stanley & Iris" (co-starring Robert De Niro). Many of the controversial and polarizing issues that had festered for years regarding Fonda’s activism during the Vietnam War surfaced during the course of this meeting.
Writer and director Terry Jastrow did extensive research, including travelling to Hanoi to interview Fonda’s guides and interpreters, retracing Fonda’s steps, speaking to eyewitnesses, combing North Vietnamese libraries and film archives all in search of the truth. He interviewed Fonda herself on a number of occasions and conducted comprehensive interviews with dozens of war vets. While Fonda has contributed time and information to ensure her story is told accurately, she has no creative input or veto power, has never read or seen the play, and has no participation in ownership or proceeds from the production.
Archer was nominated for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and the British (BAFTA) Academy Award for her role opposite Michael Douglas in "Fatal Attraction." Other films include Robert Altman’s "Short Cuts," "Patriot Games," "Clear and Present Danger" and the upcoming "Lullaby." TV credits include "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "Ghost Whisperer" and "Privileged." Other stage credits include A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking (Off-Broadway), Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Williamstown Theatre Festival), The Poison Tree (Mark Taper Forum) and The Vagina Monologues (LA). The Trial of Jane Fonda is produced by Terry Jastrow and Dann Moss for TAD Productions Limited, with general management by Something for the Weekend and casting by Carol Dudley. Further casting and creative team to be announced later in the year.
To book tickets for the Edinburgh run contact the box office on 0844 693 3008, or visit www.arfringe.com. For the London run, contact the box office on 020 8340 3488 or visit www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com.
