The Birds
By Conor McPherson
Directed by Matt Reines
In an isolated house, strangers Nat and Diane take shelter from relentless masses of attacking birds. They find relative sanctuary but no comfort or peace; there’s no electricity, little food, and a nearby neighbor may still be alive and watching them! Another refugee arrives with some news of the outside world, but her presence also brings discord. Their survival becomes even more doubtful when paranoia takes hold of the makeshift fortress – an internal threat to match that of the birds outside.
Daphne du Maurier’s short story, also the basis for the classic 1967 Hitchcock film, is boldly adapted by Conor McPherson – a gripping, unsettling, and moving look at human relationships in the face of societal collapse.
PLEASE NOTE: Limited seating is available, as the audience will be seated on the stage with the actors and the play will be performed with the curtains closed.
Produced by Mercury Players Theater at Bartell Theater's Drury Stage, 113 E. Mifflin St. , Madison
Performances: October 13-28, 2023
Performance Times:
Friday-Saturday October 13-14 @ 8:00pm
Thursday-Friday-Saturday, October 19-20-21 @ 8:00pm
Sunday, October 22 @ 4:00pm
Thursday-Friday, October 26-27 @ 8:00pm
Saturday, October 28 @ 4:00pmTicket Prices: $25 General Admission $20 Students & Seniors
Call 608-661-9696 for reservations or more information.
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Auditions
Auditions will be held on the following days:
8/20/2023
8/21/2023WHERE: The MercLab, 930 North Fair Oaks Avenue (Fair Oaks at East Washington, behind Roadway tire)
WHEN: 7pm each evening, or by appointment: mjreines@gmail.com or seanpaullang29@gmail.com
ROLES AVAILABLE*:
Diane, female, late forties / early fifties
Julia, female, early twenties
Nat, male, late forties / early fifties
Tierney, male, fifties
*(ages listed are suggestions only)Auditioners will be asked to complete an audition form and read from the script. Copies of audition material will be available in advance from the Producer, please contact Bonnie Balke, bonster55@gmail.com