The play is inspired by true events, and according to press materials asks vital questions about what makes art and people truly authentic. It won the 2012 Elliot Norton Award for Best New Play.
In the play, "Maude (Turner), a fifty-something unemployed bartender, has bought a painting for a few bucks from the thrift store. Despite almost trashing it, she now thinks it’s a Jackson Pollock worth millions. In fact she’s certain it is. But when world-class art expert, Lionel Percy (McDiarmid), flies over from New York and arrives at her trailer park home in Bakersfield to authenticate the painting, he really has no idea what he is about to discover."
In a press statement, Turner commented, "The shock and humour of diametrically opposed cultures with the transformative power of art – pure joy." McDiarmid added, "I liked the idea and comic potential of two passionately opinionated cultural opposites engaged in a life-changing battle for the soul of a great painter."
Nica Burns, co-producer of the play with Sonia Friedman Productions, Darren Bagert/Martin Massman and Chris & Kelbe Bensinger, added, "When we were lucky enough to hear Kathleen Turner and Ian McDiarmid read the play for us, the chemistry between these two great stage actors was thrilling. It has been eight years since Kathleen stunned London audiences with her extraordinary award winning performance in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? This is a fantastic role for her return to the London stage."
Turner, who is currently appearing in the title role of Mother Courage at Washington DC's Arena Stage (through March 9), has previously appeared onstage on Broadway in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Indiscretions, The Graduate, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and High. Other stage credits include The Killing of Sister George (Long Wharf Theatre, New Haven) and Red Hot Patriot: The Kick Ass Wit of Molly Ivins (Philadelphia Theater Center, LA's Geffen, and DC's Arena Stage). McDiarmid, who is best known for his role as Darth Sidious/Emperor Palpatine in the "Star Wars" film series, has worked extensively in the theatre, including an 11-year stint when he was joint artistic director of London's Almeida Theatre. He appeared there in Brian Friel's Faith Healer, subsequently winning a Tony Award for reprising the role on Broadway in 2006. Other theatre acting credits include Life of Galileo for the RSC, Timon of Athens at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, The Emperor and Galilean at the National Theatre and Henry IV at the Donmar Warehouse.
The play will be directed by Polly Teale, joint artistic director of Shared Experience, for whom she has directed Jane Eyre, Brontë, After Mrs. Rochester, Bracken Moor, Mary Shelley and Speechless, amongst others. She co-directed War and Peace in a co-production for the National Theatre and Mill on the Floss. "Brontë" has been adapted as a feature film for Film Squared/Pathé.
Playwright Stephen Sachs is co-artistic director of the Fountain Theater in Los Angeles. His other plays include Heart Song (Los Angeles 2013, Florida Rep 2014), Cyrano (LA Drama Critics Circle Award for Best New Play, Ovation Award nomination), Miss Julie: Freedom Summer (LADCC and LA Weekly Award nominations), Gilgamesh (Theater@Boston Court), Open Window (Pasadena Playhouse, Media Access Award), Central Avenue (PEN USA Literary Award Finalist), Sweet Nothing in my Ear (PEN USA Literary Award Finalist, Media Access Award), Mother's Day, The Golden Gate (Best Play Award, Dramalogue) and The Baron in the Trees. He wrote the teleplay for "Sweet Nothing in my Ear" for Hallmark Hall of Fame which aired on CBS, starring Marlee Matlin and Jeff Daniels.
The production will be designed by Tom Piper, with lighting by Oliver Fenwick and sound and music by Jon Nicholls.
To book tickets, contact the box office on 0844 412 4659, or visit http://www.bakersfieldmist.com/.
