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The Breath of Life

Presented by Gloucester Stage Company at Gloucester Stage

July 23-August 2, 2009

Avg. Event Rating (4.7 Stars):
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Written for Dames Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, this New England premiere pairs two of the Boston-area's greatest stage actresses, Nancy E. Carroll and Paula Plum. GSC Artistic Director Eric C. Engel stages this intimate portrait of two women who were never intended to meet.

• At-a-
  Glance

  • Venue Info

    Gloucester Stage

    267 East Main Street
    Gloucester, MA 01930

    Full map and directions

  • Admission Info

    Tickets: Adult: $37 Senior/Student: $34

    Info Phone: 978-281-4433

    Email

  • Dates & Times

    Dates:
    July 23-August 2, 2009

    Times:
    Wednesday/Thursday/Friday: 8 PM
    Saturday: 3 PM & 8 PM
    Sunday: 4 PM

  • Accessibility Info

    Currently, no accessibility information is available for this event.

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    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: The Breath of Life
      "Great Actresses! Thought-Provoking Play"
      Review posted by: Lauren from Cambridge MA, Aug 03, 2009
      

      It was lovely to drive up to Gloucester to see these two terrific actresses play women exploring the past 25 years, the choices they've made, the choices they didn't make, what keeps them stuck, what... Expand

      It was lovely to drive up to Gloucester to see these two terrific actresses play women exploring the past 25 years, the choices they've made, the choices they didn't make, what keeps them stuck, what moves them forward, the roles love and work have played in their lives - and they also discuss their views of literature, the academic life, journalism and fame. An enjoyable evening in an intimate and accessible setting. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Breath of Life
      "A real treat"
      Review posted by: JL from Brookline, MA, Aug 03, 2009
      

      An interesting play, 2 outstanding actresses, a thoroughly satisfying afternoon of theater. Nancy Carroll could read the phone book and make it riveting, but she has a meaty script here (an... Expand

      An interesting play, 2 outstanding actresses, a thoroughly satisfying afternoon of theater. Nancy Carroll could read the phone book and make it riveting, but she has a meaty script here (an ex- wife confronting a mistress) and in partnership with Paula Plum they create sparks of insight, poignant characterizations, and a satisfying dual of wills - with two winners in the end. They play marvelously together, neither upstaging the other, and you can FEEL as well as see them listening to each other as though what the other is saying is their 'breath of life'. The only shortcoming is in the way the interactions have been blocked. We sat in 2 different places in the theater and in both, we saw the back of one of the actresses far too often and for long stretches of time, and at times the one whose back was to us blocked our view of the other. Nevertheless, this is a wonderful piece of theater, and seeing 2 consummate actresses play off each other was a real treat. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Breath of Life
      "The Breath of Life"
      Review posted by: LSJacobs from Methuen, MA USA, Jul 27, 2009
      

      How enjoyable is was to watch two of Boston premiere actress spar with each other on stage. Carroll and Plum are great antagonists. The play deals with two women sharing the same man. As... Expand

      How enjoyable is was to watch two of Boston premiere actress spar with each other on stage. Carroll and Plum are great antagonists. The play deals with two women sharing the same man. As Madeline says, we are still talking about it and he has moved on. Our group discussed the play at dinner and even later,other lines from the play were remembered and discussed over the phone. David Hare has captured the way two women who shared a man speak after years of hurt. The other woman was Nancy E. Carroll and Paula Plum played the long suffering wife. Frankly, both characters are survivors though hurt but stronger for their life experience. They come to an understanding by the play's end. Collapse

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  • All Media Gallery

    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

• Member
  Reviews

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: The Breath of Life
      "Great Actresses! Thought-Provoking Play"
      Review posted by: Lauren from Cambridge MA, Aug 03, 2009
      

      It was lovely to drive up to Gloucester to see these two terrific actresses play women exploring the past 25 years, the choices they've made, the choices they didn't make, what keeps them stuck, what... Expand

      It was lovely to drive up to Gloucester to see these two terrific actresses play women exploring the past 25 years, the choices they've made, the choices they didn't make, what keeps them stuck, what moves them forward, the roles love and work have played in their lives - and they also discuss their views of literature, the academic life, journalism and fame. An enjoyable evening in an intimate and accessible setting. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Breath of Life
      "A real treat"
      Review posted by: JL from Brookline, MA, Aug 03, 2009
      

      An interesting play, 2 outstanding actresses, a thoroughly satisfying afternoon of theater. Nancy Carroll could read the phone book and make it riveting, but she has a meaty script here (an... Expand

      An interesting play, 2 outstanding actresses, a thoroughly satisfying afternoon of theater. Nancy Carroll could read the phone book and make it riveting, but she has a meaty script here (an ex- wife confronting a mistress) and in partnership with Paula Plum they create sparks of insight, poignant characterizations, and a satisfying dual of wills - with two winners in the end. They play marvelously together, neither upstaging the other, and you can FEEL as well as see them listening to each other as though what the other is saying is their 'breath of life'. The only shortcoming is in the way the interactions have been blocked. We sat in 2 different places in the theater and in both, we saw the back of one of the actresses far too often and for long stretches of time, and at times the one whose back was to us blocked our view of the other. Nevertheless, this is a wonderful piece of theater, and seeing 2 consummate actresses play off each other was a real treat. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Breath of Life
      "The Breath of Life"
      Review posted by: LSJacobs from Methuen, MA USA, Jul 27, 2009
      

      How enjoyable is was to watch two of Boston premiere actress spar with each other on stage. Carroll and Plum are great antagonists. The play deals with two women sharing the same man. As... Expand

      How enjoyable is was to watch two of Boston premiere actress spar with each other on stage. Carroll and Plum are great antagonists. The play deals with two women sharing the same man. As Madeline says, we are still talking about it and he has moved on. Our group discussed the play at dinner and even later,other lines from the play were remembered and discussed over the phone. David Hare has captured the way two women who shared a man speak after years of hurt. The other woman was Nancy E. Carroll and Paula Plum played the long suffering wife. Frankly, both characters are survivors though hurt but stronger for their life experience. They come to an understanding by the play's end. Collapse

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