20 Jun 2024
Love Letters is an intimate, poignant two-character drama by playwright A. R. Gurney, whose clear instructions are that the play is written to be read and no direct interaction should take place between the actors, offering a unique audience experience.
As the characters reveal their correspondence, the audience witnesses the evolution of their relationship from childhood innocence to adult complexity. This simple, powerful narrative structure highlights the enduring impact of written communication and the unspoken emotions that letters can convey.
Two of the Company of Ten’s most distinctive and experienced voices, Rosemary Goodman as Melissa and Terry Prince playing Andy, bring warmth and intimacy to a drama that unfolds through a series of letters exchanged over a lifetime.
Director Tina Swain explained: “Rehearsing this play has been completely different to anything else the three of us have worked on as directors or actors. Having time to explore the characters and subtext of the play without the pressure of worrying about entrances and exits is a luxury not usually afforded to a director. It’s been joyous and liberating to be able to rely absolutely on the intuitive understanding both actors bring to the process.”
Rosemary agreed: “Love Letters is unusual in that the author wants no direct interaction between the two actors on stage. It has taken time, focus and discipline for me and Terry not to make eye contact, especially when the dialogue becomes heated and passionate.”
Terry added: “The power and ambiguity of the written word to say things and leave things unsaid, unites the two writers yet emphasises the distance between Andy and Melissa, geographically and emotionally, as we discover in this humorous, poignant and moving piece of theatre.”
Performances take place in the Abbey Theatre Studio between June 27-29 at 8pm. To book tickets please go to www.abbeytheatre.org.uk or call the box office on 01727 857861
