Hollywood Slow-Down Gives LA's Fringe Theatre Scene Boost; Film Industry Pros Re-Stage Harold Pinter's 1960 Play, The Dumb Waiter.

Entertainment Editors & Theater Writers

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 4, 2002

Former Royal Shakespeare Company actor, Derrick O'Connor has teamed up with former Royal National Theatre actor, Michael O'Hagan, to produce "The Dumb Waiter," a stage play by Harold Pinter. Directed by Brian Eatwell, it opens on Saturday, March 9th at the St. Stephens Theater, at 6128 Yucca Street (Between Argyle & Gower Streets) in LA. The play is scheduled to run through April 7th, with evening performances beginning at 8pm every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; and at 7pm on Sundays. Tickets are available for $20 at the box office, and for $25 with VIP reservations at (323) 655-TKTS.

Hollywood was more deeply affected by recent political events than most people are aware. The unexpected slow down in the film industry has had a surprising effect on the Theatre Arts. LA's fringe theater scene is teeming with seasoned actors, film production talent and crew -- breathing life into vintage plays and finding new ways to apply their skills. Cameraman Don Fauntleroy was keen to jump in and resolve the stage lighting for "The Dumb Waiter," while awaiting his next gig -- a Francis Ford Coppola film.

"I don't think there's anywhere else in the world you could draw such qualifications to fringe theater," says cast member and co-producer, Michael O'Hagen. "Since September 11th, a lot of talented film people in Hollywood have been volunteering their time to small stage productions. Our costume and set designers are professionals who have been nominated for prestigious film industry awards, and our sound manager is a former pop star."

"In the early 70's, I had the pleasure of working with Harold Pinter on his film, Butley," says cast member and co-producer Derrick O'Connor. "His writing is so precise, actors love to perform his work. It was my first appearance in a feature film, and a real privilege to work with such a renowned playwright. He is very much an actor's director."

Harold Pinter is one of the world's most renowned living playwrights. His complex themes and distinctive enigmatic style have added the terms "Pinteresque" and "Pinter Pauses" to contemporary lexicon. His career encompasses stage, screen and radio, and his accomplishments include acting and directing as well as writing. Born in 1930, in a working-class neighborhood in London, he was the son of a Jewish tailor.

The Dumb Waiter was first produced in England at the Hampstead Theatre Club 21 January 1960, and subsequently transferred to the Royal Court Theatre on March 8, 1960, welcoming the strange and compelling talent of Harold Pinter into the West End. Reminiscent of Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot," Pinter's "The Dumb Waiter" is at the same time profound, unsettling and humorous. Set in England in the 1960's, American audiences will enjoy the dark humor and cultural subtleties. In fact, the show program includes a handy glossary of English terms used in the play, translated into American.

The roles of Gus and Ben are played by veteran stage actors Derrick O'Connor and Michael O'Hagen. Over the years, the film and television industries have been employing their skills as character actors. O'Connor recently appeared in an episode of the new TV series Alias, The Tracey Ullmann Show, and in films including End of Days, Lethal Weapon II, and Brazil. O'Hagen has appeared in an episode of TV show, Enterprise, and numerous films including End of Days, Gods and Monsters, and Dead Man on Campus.