With forums and panels, Boston's Huntington Theatre will attempt to bring its audiences closer to the play The Steward of Christendom by Sebastian Barry, previewing March 12, opening March 17 and running till April 11.

With every show, Huntington Theatre's Literary/Artistic Associate Scott Edmiston brings in outside sources, mostly from academia, to discuss various issues concerning the current play. Huntington sources told Playbill On-Line they feel it helps the audience relate to pieces and gives the artists in the show feedback on their work.

Steward explores of the mind of Thomas Dunne, a former police chief who guarded the seat of British government at a time compatriots were seeking liberation.

Events planned for the run of The Steward of Christendom all concern Irish governmental issues past and present. On March 21 and 28 there will be humanities forums in the theatre immediately following the 2 PM matinees. Pat Coogan, former editor of The Irish Press and Scott Cummings, Associate Theatre Professor at Boston College, will speak at the forums. On the 25th, audiences will get a chance to interact with the show's performers in the Actors Forum Discussion following the 7:30 PM performance..

Steward was originally produced in March 1995 by director Max Stafford-Clark's Out of Joint Theatre Company in association with The Royal Court Theatre. Tickets for the show are currently on sale at the Huntington Box office or by calling (617)266-0800. Tickets are $10-$49.50 with discounts for students and seniors.

-- by Becki Heller