‘Scotland Road’ Promises Thrills And Big-Sea Chills
“Scotland Road,” which opens Friday at the Interplayers Ensemble, begins with a premise that could be right out of “The Twilight Zone” or maybe even “The X-Files.”
It’s the 1990s, and a Norwegian fishing boat is cruising off the coast of Iceland. The crew spots an iceberg. As they approach, they see a lone figure sitting on it. She is dressed in the fashion of 1912. When they rescue her, she says only one word:
“Titanic.”
The rest of the play explores this mystery, which soon becomes a love story and a psychodrama as well as a thriller. Through a number of twists and turns, this Jeffrey Hatcher script probes the deeper mysteries of identity and image.
“Scotland Road” was first performed in 1993 at the Cincinnati Playhouse, where it was the winner of the Lois and Richard Rosenthal New Play Prize. Since then, it has been eagerly sought by regional theaters, produced at the Illinois Theater Center, TheaterWorks in Palo Alto, Calif., TheaterWorks in Hartford, Conn., and at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center.
For even avid theatergoers, “Scotland Road” might present another mystery as well: Who is Jeffrey Hatcher?
Although he is not a household name, this Minnesota writer is clearly a busy and in-demand contemporary playwright. His other works include “Neddy,” “Fellow Travelers,” “Tango Delta,” “Comfort and Joy,” “Rattan,” “Three Viewings” and “Downtown.”
He recently adapted Noel Coward’s musical “Sail Away,” under the title “Bon Voyage,” for the Denver Center Theater Co., and he has been commissioned by the South Coast Repertory Co. to write “Wellington Defeated.” He has not been produced in Spokane theaters until now.
This Interplayers production will be directed by associate director Michael Weaver. John, the man who tries to unravel the mystery, will be played by John Bogar, who recently played Gustave-Hippolyte Worms in “The Ladies of the Camellias.”
Erin Merritt, who played Lady Olivia in “Twelfth Night” last season, is the woman on the iceberg. Gail Smith-Reynolds and Ellen Lawson complete the cast.
Interplayers is Spokane’s resident professional theater.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: THEATER “Scotland Road” will be staged Friday through Feb. 22 at Interplayers, 174 S. Howard. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with 2 p.m. matinees on Feb. 1, 5 and 8. Tickets are $15.75 and $13.65 ($12.60 for matinees); for reservations, call 455-PLAY.