The Author is a “worthy curiosity” recommended for “intrepid theater folks.”
- Charles McNulty, The Los Angeles Times
This one is for the daring theatregoer.
Don’t ask. Don’t Google. Just be there.
The London Guardian calls it “ a dazzling theatrical experience that lets nobody off the hook” – including the audience.
The Author is by turns funny, twee, exciting, unnerving and dull, and I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.
- Dominic Maxwell, The Times
Without giving too much away, The Author challenges the conventions of theatre and changes your perspective as an audience member. Crouch plays himself, a playwright who has written a disturbing work filled with taboo sex and violence. As he and other participants in the production discuss the process and the aftermath, the audience can’t help but be drawn into the story.
I have the choice to continue. I have the choice to stop.
Settle back into the warmth of the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs. Relax as the story unfolds. For you. With you. Of you. A story of hope, violence and exploitation. Laugh with the actors, tap your feet to the music, turn to your neighbour. You’re here.
Tim Crouch’s new play is about the abuse carried out in the name of the spectator.
A special note from Pier Carlo Talenti, CTG's Literary Manager:
I want to make sure you know about The Author. And it’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in the theatre.
I do want to make it clear that it is not for the faint of heart. No, it has no nudity, no barrage of cuss words, no onstage violence. It is, however, extremely provocative and potentially upsetting. Why? Because I think this play is about the unspoken contract between artist and audience during any performance. What do we expect of the playwright and the performers in a play? And in turn what do they expect from us? The Author has no protagonist. It doesn't even really have a stage. You don't grasp its story until it's over. And yet it is viscerally theatrical. To say any more would detract from the surprise of experiencing it.
This is the kind of play that I particularly love, the play that defies description and that is guaranteed to spark a series of heated arguments in the lobby and in the journey home. As always, the Kirk Douglas Theatre’s concierges will be available in the lobby to record and respond to our audience’s concerns, reactions and questions, and CTG’s literary staff will also host a special AfterWords* to allow our audiences a chance to discuss the play.
If my admittedly oblique description of the play interests you, I hope you’ll consider seeing it. I think it’ll give you a lot to talk about.
* For more information on CTG’s AfterWords program, please click here.
LA STAGE TIMES: Tim Crouch is “The Author” and the Actor at Kirk Douglas
by Rebecca Kinskey - February 16, 2011
“Just as a painting gives only part of the information, leaving viewers to provide the rest, so Crouch’s work forces audiences to uphold their end of the spectator-spectacle bargain. This is precisely the interaction The Author aims to explore….” More online at LA Stage Times.
Playwright/Director/Performer Tim Crouch (center, gesturing) with audience members. Photo by Craig Schwartz.
FOR MATURE AUDIENCES (18+) ONLY.
Please be advised, The Author contains adult language and potentially disturbing imagery and situations.
There will be ABSOLUTELY NO LATE SEATING. No exceptions. Please plan your trip accordingly and allow extra time to get to the theatre. In addition, patrons that leave the theatre during the performance, for any reason, will NOT BE ALLOWED TO RE-ENTER.
PARKING is FREE in Culver City!
FREE covered parking, after 6pm on weeknights and all day on weekends, is available under Culver City's City Hall at Culver Blvd and Duquesne Avenue. Enter on Duquesne.
Enjoy great deals at all of our Kirk Douglas Theatre Partners!
Funding for Douglas Plus is provided by The James Irvine Foundation's Artistic Innovation Fund and the Leading for the Future Initiative, a program of the Nonprofit Finance Fund, funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
Culver City Road Work (ongoing through end of March at least):
Please note, due to road-work in on Washington & Culver Blvd., there may be lane closures causing traffic delays in Downtown Culver City. Please allow extra time when driving to the theatre and, if possible, take Venice Blvd as an alternative to Washington and Culver.
Music in the Chambers (Feb 25):
Please note, on Fri, Feb 25, there will be a free concert taking place inside Culver City City Hall as part of the Music in the Chambers series. As a result, parking in the City Hall Garage will be extremely limited. As an alternative, please use the Watseka Avenue parking structure- which will be free to those attending the Kirk Douglas Theatre on Feb 25. Please show your ticket stub or program at the exit gate as proof of attendance.
For more information on the Music in the Chambers series- please visit www.culvercity.org
AfterWords for The Author will take place on Thursday, March 3, 2011 in the Kirk Douglas Theatre lobby. For more information about AfterWords, a free discussion open to the public, click here.