Intimacy

Presented by TTI in association with Wisepart Productions
World Stage Première Assembly Rooms Edinburgh 2002
Book by Hanif Kureishi
Adapted by Guy Masterson
Directed by Susannah Pack and Oliver Langdon
Original Cast: Andrew Rajan, Riz Meedin, Mandy Gordon.

The first stage adaptation of Hanif Kureishi's honest, lyrical and controversial snapshot of the breakdown of a modern relationship.

"Hurting someone is an act of reluctant intimacy"

Hanif Kureishi's bestseller is at last brought to the stage by Fringe First winners Wisepart Productions in a perceptive adaptation by Guy Masterson.

As Jay struggles with his desire for fulfilment, only his relationship, his two young sons and his conscience stand in his way. The poignant story of the decline of love and the waning appeal of monogamy, INTIMACY lays bare a mind riddled with trepidation and guilt and exposes, with searing honesty, the harsh disparities between the masculine roles of lover, husband and father.

Guy Masterson is an accomplished adapter, with Animal Farm and A Soldier's Song his most widely acclaimed. With Intimacy, he adapts with sensitivity and faithfulness to the original, rekindling Kureishi's astute dissection of male sexual restlessness specifically for the stage.

Susannah Pack and Oliver Langdon of award-winning company Wisepart co-direct, following last year's five hit shows at C Venues and a Fringe First in 2000 with BBA AND PROUD. This is Wisepart's first collaboration with Theatre Tours International and their first visit to the prestigious Assembly Rooms.

"One of the most hotly anticipated stage plays of 2002"
(London Evening Standard on INTIMACY)

"Wisepart Productions' zesty, vehement style and precision acting come up smelling of roses." (The Stage on 2001 season)

"Definitely a company to watch." (About British Theatre)

Reviews:

The Telegraph, 12 August 2002
"We're being treated to the first stage adaptation of Hanif Kureishi's autobiographical novella Intimacy, about a man agonising over leaving his wife and two sons. Guy Masterson's account is far more faithful to the original than the recent screen version... Riz Meedin is all frowning concern as the unfaithful Jay, while Mandy Gordon impresses as both the object of his cruelty and the lover of whom he throws everything away for." (Dominic Cavendish)

The List, 15 August 2002
"Riz Meedin's rapport with his cast members is energised and surprisingly lucid. Mandy Gordon impressively doubles up as wife Susan and mistress Nina... This stage translation doesn't disappoint... Mr Kureishi should be proud." (Anna Millar)

Edinburgh Evening News, 15 August 2002
"Heavy matters discussed in an intelligent and accessible production of Hanif Kureishi's novel... Fine acting and sensitive direction in abundance... Takes procrastination and self-inflicted agony to a fine art... Masterson's adaptation captures the essence of Jay's conflicted and ultimately selfish character with the minimum of fuss... Mandy Gordon switches effortlessly between middle-aged mother and seductive siren, the majority of the time right in front of the audience, using just her face, body and voice... Intimacy highlights the feelings and questions we'd rather not think about and don't admit to." (Erin McElhinney)

Metro, 16 August 2002
"This single narrative perspective has interesting implications for the audience... .Intimacy- an act of explicit confession- upholds the notion that most women would be appalled if they ever knew exactly what men were thinking... Every thought, however ugly, is eloquently made and recognisably true, only makes this oddly detached play all the more compelling... You watch this play with the same fascinated horror you would a car crash in slow motion, except worse, since in this instance the man at the wheel is willing on the carnage." (Claire Allfree)

Fest, 21 August 2002
"Never afraid to seesaw between the perception of him as trapped suburbanite or heartless bastard... A gently reflective play that manages to touch all bases in it approach to the subject." (James Lyon)

The Stage, 22 August 2002
"Played deliciously... This is a play for anyone who has been involved in serious commitment with someone. Seldom a word is wasted in the script with its complex, realistic characterisation and broad themes such as society's need for blame and the inevitability of desire... Hyper-intelligent, witty and meaningful." (Cameron Robertson)

British Theatre Guide, 20 August 2002
"Language that melts in your mouth and explodes in your brain. His precisely chosen words and phrases bring terrible recognition in us... Well acted, well directed and - most especially - most painfully well written." (Catherine Lamm)

Biographies:

Hanif Kureishi (author book) is an internationally renowned playwright, novelist and essayist. He won the George Devine Award in 1981 for his play Outskirts and in 1982 was appointed Writer in Residence at the Royal Court. In 1984 he wrote the film My Beautiful Laundrette which received an Oscar nomination for best screenplay, and two more films followed, Sammy and Rosie Get Laid and London Kills Me (which he also directed). The Buddha of Suburbia won the Whitbread Prize for Best First Novel in 1990 and was made into a four-part drama series by the BBC in 1993. His version of Brecht's Mother Courage has been produced by the RSC and by the Royal National Theatre. His second novel, The Black Album, was published in 1995, when he also edited The Faber Book of Pop. His first collection of short stories, Love in a Blue Time, was published in 1997 and one story from this collection, My Son The Fanatic, was adapted for film and released in 1998. Intimacy, his third novel, was published in 1998, and his play Sleep With Me premièred at the Royal National Theatre in 1999. His second collection of short stories, Midnight All Day, was published in 2000, and his latest novel, Gabriel's Gift in 2001. Intimacy was made into a film in 2001 by Patrice Chéreau.

Guy Masterson (adaptor)
[Click on name for Biog]

Oliver Langdon (co-director) began his Fringe career 5 years ago playing the title role in Doctor Faustus. In 1999, he joined Wisepart Productions as an actor in their debut production, My Night With Reg. The following year, he directed and acted in Bouncers, which became a huge hit, touring widely after the Festival. Since then he has worked tirelessly for the company, and last year directed White Van Man at C Underground. This year he also assisted Guy Masterson on A Slight Tilt to the Left.

Susannah Pack (co-director) is the Artistic Director of Wisepart Productions, and has directed several plays for them including Best Friends at last year's Fringe, which was nominated for a Fringe First, My Night With Reg (1999) and The Gathering of Birds (2000). She assisted Guy Masterson on the Fringe First nominated Resolution in 2001, and in 2002 assisted Emma Lucia on Oleanna. Susannah also works as a producer for Wisepart, and as an actor has performed in a variety of plays.

Wisepart Productions (producer) was founded in 1999, creates intelligent, accessible, high-quality theatre without any pretensions. It is dedicated to developing work from new writers, reworking modern classics, and premiering international writers, with an emphasis on minority work. Wisepart is an established name at the Edinburgh Fringe having produced 10 acclaimed productions over the past three years, including BBA and Proud in 2000 for which it won its first Scotsman Fringe First award, and premieres by Berkoff and Ravenhill. Productions include: My Night With Reg, Bouncers, BBA and Proud, The Gathering of Birds, Sticky Ends, Pandemonium! (A Greek Myth-Adventure), White Van Man, Dahling You Were Marvellous, Best Friends and A Desire To Kill on the Tip of the Tongue. For Further information visit www.wisepart.com