While taking a break from his stint in The General From America, actor Corin Redgrave will perform his one-man show, Blunt Speaking, Dec. 9 and 18 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre to raise money for two charity organizations, The Actors Fund and Not in Our Name.
Blunt Speaking chronicles the life of Sir Anthony Blunt, a Cambridge don and art critic, who also worked as a spy for the KGB during World War II and the 1950's. His lover Guy Burgess, Donald MacLean and Kim Philby all defected to the Soviet Union after the war ended, but the upper crust Blunt, Cambridge's so-called "fourth man," stayed. This excited the interest of British intelligence who investigated him in the 1960's. In exchange for valuable information about the secrets that he gave to the Russians, Blunt was spared public humiliation for his spying until 1979 when Margaret Thatcher denounced him. Blunt died in 1983, having said that although he betrayed Great Britain, he never betrayed his own conscience.
Redgrave is the brother of actresses Lynn and Vanessa. His work includes many productions with London's Royal National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, playing George Washington in the world premiere of General From America, Gaev in The Cherry Orchard and Jean Paul Marat in Marat/Sade. He last appeared on Broadway as Boss Whalen in Not About Nightingales.
Tickets are $10-$30. The Lucille Lortel Theatre is located at 121 Christopher Street. For the Dec. 9 performance, call the Actors Fund at (212) 221-7300. For the Dec. 18 performance, call the Not in Our Name office at (212) 969-8058.
— By Christine Ehren
