Travesties on Broadway Tickets
Todd Haimes Theatre
James Joyce, Tristan Tzara and Vladimir Lenin all meet in a Swiss library in this spectacular revival of Tom Stoppard’s intellectual kaleidoscope comedy, which transfers from London to the American Airlines Theatre. Directed by Patrick Marber and starring Tom Hollander.
After a highly successful run on London’s West End (including five Olivier Award nominations), Patrick Marber’s stunning revival of Travesties by Tom Stoppard brings its madcap kaleidoscope of silly but literate comedy to Broadway, taking up residence at the American Airlines Theatre.
Set in Zürich, Switzerland during the first World War, Travesties is told through the somewhat distorted memory of English civil servant Henry Carr (Tom Hollander) as he reminisces about his interactions with dadaist artist Tristan Tzara (Seth Numrich), Irish novelist James Joyce (Peter McDonald) and Russian revolutionary Lenin (Dan Butler). These encounters are affected and flavoured by a production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Ernest that Carr was starring in at the time.
If it sounds zany, that’s only because it is; however, Tom Stoppard’s reputation for intellectual comedies is justified in this highly literate; using clever word-play and many cultural and historical references to present ideas on politics, art, society and love.
Tom Hollander (co-creator and star of BBC sitcom Rev.) was a hit with London critics in the role of Henry, with his performance earning him an Olivier Award nomination. Seth Numrich (Warhorse, Golden Boy) is flamboyant and eloquent as Tzara, while Dan Butler (Warhol/Capote) is a fiery and bombastic Lenin.
Patrick Marber (writer and director of Closer) brings a frenetic pace to Travesties that ensures it doesn’t become bogged down in its own intellectualism. The witty dialogue and farcical situations zip along in order to keep the laughs coming.
Set in Zürich, Switzerland during the first World War, Travesties is told through the somewhat distorted memory of English civil servant Henry Carr (Tom Hollander) as he reminisces about his interactions with dadaist artist Tristan Tzara (Seth Numrich), Irish novelist James Joyce (Peter McDonald) and Russian revolutionary Lenin (Dan Butler). These encounters are affected and flavoured by a production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Ernest that Carr was starring in at the time.
If it sounds zany, that’s only because it is; however, Tom Stoppard’s reputation for intellectual comedies is justified in this highly literate; using clever word-play and many cultural and historical references to present ideas on politics, art, society and love.
Tom Hollander (co-creator and star of BBC sitcom Rev.) was a hit with London critics in the role of Henry, with his performance earning him an Olivier Award nomination. Seth Numrich (Warhorse, Golden Boy) is flamboyant and eloquent as Tzara, while Dan Butler (Warhol/Capote) is a fiery and bombastic Lenin.
Patrick Marber (writer and director of Closer) brings a frenetic pace to Travesties that ensures it doesn’t become bogged down in its own intellectualism. The witty dialogue and farcical situations zip along in order to keep the laughs coming.
Sorry this show closed 17 July 2018, we recommend these similar productions.
Performance dates:
29 Mar 2018 - 17 Jul 2018
Running time:
2 hours and 30 minutes including an intermission.
Venue:
Age recommendation:
Recommended 12+
Audience Notes:
People who like to laugh and think will find ample opportunity to do both in Travesties, while dedicated Stoppard fans will not want to miss this elaborate, lavish and superbly directed production of one of his most surreal comedies.
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