THE COUNTRY HOUSE
By Donald Marguilies
Directed by Mike Daley
Season: 18 Feb - 5 Mar
A brood of famous and longing-to-be-famous creative artists have gathered at their summer home for the Williamstown Theatre Festival. When the weekend takes an unexpected turn, they are forced to improvise, inciting a series of jealousies, romantic outbursts, and passionate soul-searching. Witty and compelling, ‘The Country House’ provides a piercing look at a family of performers coming to terms with the roles they play in each other’s lives.
By arrangement with Music Theatre International (Australasia) Pty Ltd Exclusive agent for Dramatists Play Service, Inc
Playwright
Donald Margulies
Margulies attended John Dewey High School in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from Purchase College where he received a BFA in Visual Arts. He is a professor of English and Theatre & Performance Studies at Yale University.
Margulies' notable works include The Country House (2014), Time Stands Still (2009) and Brooklyn Boy (2004). Sight Unseen and Collected Stories were finalists for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, in 1992, and 1997, respectively; Dinner with Friends was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 2000.
The Country House takes place in the Berkshires, where Anna, an actress, is appearing at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. She is entertaining her son, a failed actor, Elliot; a handsome famous actor, Michael; her son-in-law, Walter, who was married to her deceased daughter, and his girlfriend/fiancé, Nell and his daughter Susie.
It won the 2014 L.A. Ovation Award for Best Play and was selected an Applause Books Best Play of 2013–14.
Director
Mike Daley
Daley currently serves as the Vice President of the Dolphin Theatre and frequently appears on stage. A graduate of the theatre program at Emerson College in Boston, past credits include Time Stands Still, Death Of A Dream, Hidden In This Picture, and Nell Gwynn at the Dolphin, Dinner With Friends at Howick Little Theatre, and Hamlet, Sexual Perversity In Chicago, and A Bright Room Called Day in Boston. Much love and thanks to his wife Jamie and daughter Amy for their continued support over what became a lengthy rehearsal period.
Director’s Notes
When I held auditions for this show back in July, I certainly didn't anticipate that it would take over seven months to reach opening night, but such is the world we live in. I knew this wouldn't be an easy show to put together. I would struggle whenever I tried to describe it to someone. There's no murder or mystery to solve. It's quite funny, but definitely not a comedy. And the drama isn't even primarily derived from what happens on stage so much as it springs from each character's rich history off stage. It's my favorite kind of play - people arguing in rooms. All the characters intersect in these fascinating ways to create an emotional web which ensnares everyone, including the audience. There is something inherently relatable and identifiable about everyone on stage - there are no heroes and no villains, just a collection of people each seeking love and validation from someone who cannot or will not reciprocate and often making some unfortunate decisions in the face of these missed connections. But even when they go astray, you can still sympathize. This sort of show doesn't work without an exceptionally strong cast and I consider myself privileged to have assembled this group of theatrical titans. They have gone above and beyond throughout this marathon of a production, including Zoom rehearsals during lockdown and recasting one role multiple times.
I am beyond lucky to have such a wildly talented cast and I'm so excited to finally share their hard work and incredible dedication with you all.
Cast
GRACE CULLEN
as Susie
Trained in both theatre and film, Grace has performed in NZ and London for the last 4 years after graduating from Unitec, where she completed her Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts. Ranging from Shakespeare, physical comedy and screen time such as Ash vs Evil Dead, she enjoys all aspects of the craft and the depth of each character she brings to life. This is her first stage performance since returning to NZ and she is excited to be a part of the New Zealand premiere of The Country House!
JAMES WRIGHTON
as MICHAEL
British actor James Wrighton has appeared in a variety of international screen and stage productions including lead roles in BBC’s Young Hyacinth, Channel 4’s Drifters and Comedy Central’s I Live With Models. He’s the co-founder of sketch-comedy group Idiots of Ants, who have had their own BBC radio series, TV Pilot, performed alongside Jimmy Carr and John Cleese and sold out six consecutive shows at the acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe Festival. They also toured twice to the Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand Comedy Festivals where they won Best International Act.
ANNA BAIRD
as Anna
Anna, a graduate of The Actors’ Program was last seen on the Dolphin stage in award winning Death Of A Dream (best actress). Other stage performances include Sham, Middle Age Spread, Neighbourhood Watch, I’ll Leave it to You (best actress), and Dial M for Murder. Screen work includes various TV and web series including Brokenwood Mysteries, Black Hands, Sextortion, AFK and Auckward Love. Anna is in awe of her fellow cast and the authenticity and depth they have brought to the characters they portray in this superb work by Donald Margulies. She also pays special thanks to Director Mike Daley who has an uncanny ability to draw out the very best in his actors and to find the hidden gems in every moment.
ROMAIN MEREAU
as Elliot
Romain Mereau is a freshly-minted graduate from Atlantic Acting School in New York. In the last year he has appeared in productions of Persuasion, The Irish Murderer (Dolphin Theatre) and The Girl on the Train (Howick Little Theatre). His directing credits include The House of Bernarda Alba (off-Broadway Atlantic Stage 2 Theater) for Bluebird Theatre Company. In his spare time, Romain loves to go to the cinema and eat noisy snacks.
CASSANDRA WOODHOUSE
as Nell
Cassandra returns to the Dolphin stage after her award winning performances in Time Stands Still and A Dolls House. After fronting the global viral campaign as Sue the porn star last year, Cassandra is thrilled to be working on another brilliant script by playwright David Margulies.
TIM SKINNER
as Walter
Tim has to limit his theatre work to fit in with a busy work life, so he’s stoked to have been offered a part in The Country House with such a talented cast and crew. Even in the early days of rehearsal it was clear that this was going to be an exceptional play. Four months of lockdown and a twice delayed run has only strengthened the resolve and dedication of the team.
Tim has appeared in a number of plays at The Dolphin and HLT over the years, including California Suite, Fox on the Fairway, Gasping and Sitting Pretty.
Here’s hoping you enjoy this play as much as he has.
Crew
Intimacy Advisor
Catherine Maunsell
Production Assistant
Christina Christopher
Assistant PA
Holly Stephens
Props
Claire McCormick
Lighting Design
Gareth Evans
Sound Design
Geoff Evans
Rehearsal Stand In
Jake Clarke
Photography
Lyndon Katene
Fight Choreography
Lyndon Katene, NZSSCS
Set Design
Robyn Bull
Decor
Robyn Bull
Costume
Robyn Fleming
Committee Liason
Simon Foley