Page 31 - Aruba Today

PEOPLE & ARTS A31
Tuesday 22 March 2016

A British play about love turns its attention to America

MARK KENNEDY produced by Jean Dou-
manian Productions and
AP Drama Writer Barrow Street Theatre.
The National Theatre has
NEW YORK (AP) — As a had success transferring to
Broadway such hits as “The
playwright, Lucy Prebble Curious Incident of the Dog
in the Night-Time,” ‘’One
isn’t frightened of go- Man, Two Guvnors” and
“War Horse.” They mount-
ing into big, scary places. ed “The Effect” three years
ago.
She’s already delved into Tim Levy, who heads up the
National Theatre in North
pedophilia and stock-mar- America, said he’s inter-
ested in exploring differ-
ket bubbles. Now she’s go- ent ways of collaborating,
producing and partnering
ing after love. across the Atlantic.
“For quite a while, we
Prebble’s play “The Effect” would have a show and it
would either go to Broad-
makes its American debut way or nothing at all. I think
the idea that we could ac-
this month at the Barrow tually bring a play like this,
which is quite an intimate
Street Theatre. To write it, piece, off-Broadway is
something we’re really into
Prebble spent years trying at the moment,” he said.
Doumanian, who also has
to understand the phar- produced “The Flick,” ‘’Our
Town” and “Every Brilliant
maceutical industry and Thing” at the Barrow Street
Theatre, has long admired
the scientific underpin- the National Theatre and
said collaborating made
nings of love. sense.
“It’s what theater’s about,
“I’m really interested in isn’t it? It’s discovering new
things and making con-
things that people tell me nections,” the Tony Award-
winning producer said.
are hard to understand. I

suppose there’s a slightly

childish part of me that

says, ‘Well, I’m going to try This undated image released by DKC/O&M shows director David Cromer, left and playwright Lucy
to understand it,’” she said. Prebble. Prebble’s “The Effect,” about two young people who become romantic during a clinical
“I look at making a play trial for a new anti-depressant, makes its American debut this month at the Barrow Street Theatre
as an opportunity to learn in New York.
something as well as feel
Associated Press

something.” “What really drew me to as well as the cable series tersection of heart and sci-
“The Effect” follows two this subject matter was “Secret Diary of a Call Girl.” ence. “It’s a crystallization
young people who be- looking at love. The more The director is David of theater and it’s also a
come romantic during a I thought about love and Cromer. He first met Preb- way to examine, one step
clinical trial for a new an- the more I looked into ble a year ago over din- removed, all that happens
tidepressant. They can’t what it was, the more you ner in London, calling her when we’re falling in love,”
be sure if their relationship have to be faced with sci- generous, patient and “the Cromer said.
is true or if they’re just en- ence,” said Prebble, who least precious playwright The play is co-produced
joying elevated dopamine wrote the plays “The Sugar I’ve ever worked with.” by the Royal National The-
levels. Syndrome” and “Enron,” He said the new play, atre and marks the first time

which won the 2012 UK the British theatrical pow-

UN names Angry Birds character Critics’ Circle award for erhouse has ventured off-
best new play, sits at the in- Broadway. It is also being

Red to tackle climate change

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Smokey Robinson to receive honor for
on Friday named Red, the starring animated character
in the soon-to-be-released “The Angry Birds Movie” as an charitable efforts
honorary U.N. ambassador to encourage young peo-
ple to go “green” and step up action to tackle climate NEW YORK (AP) — Smokey
change. The U.N. chief told a launch event attended by Robinson is getting an
hundreds of young people in the General Assembly hall award — this time for his
that “the Angry Birds have entertained millions of people charitable efforts.
around the world — and now they are part of making The icon will be honored on
the world a better place.” May 19 by the MusiCares
Ban said there was no better way to mark the Interna- MAP Fund, which provides
tional Day of Happiness on March 20 “than to have our members of the music
animated ambassador raise awareness about the im- community access to ad-
portance of addressing climate change to create a saf- diction recovery treatment
er, more sustainable and happier future for all.” regardless of their financial
The campaign, in partnership with Sony Pictures En- situation.
tertainment, the U.N. Development Program and U.N.
Foundation, asks people around the world to make the Singers CeeLo Green, Ken- In this June 28, 2015, file photo, Smokey Robinson performs at
Angry Birds happy by taking actions to combat climate ny “Babyface” Edmonds, El the BET Awards in Los Angeles.
change such as recycling, taking public transportation DeBarge and Kem will per-
and conserving water. form in honor of Robinson Associated Press
Participants are asked to share their photos and com- at The Novo in Los Angeles.
mitments on social media platforms using the common Tickets go on sale Monday. year’s benefit concert. comedian-actor Cedric
hashtag #AngryBirdsHappyPlanet. Robinson will receive The 76-year-old Robinson theEntertainer. Addition-
As part of his ambassadorial duties, the U.N. said Red will the Stevie Ray Vaughan also will perform at the al performers will be an-
go on a “virtual world tour” starting March 21 to highlight Award, which was given event, to be hosted by nounced at a later date.
various ways to combat climate change. to Pete Townshend at last