Actors Will Read From ‘Elephant Man’

Thu., Sept. 9, 1999

By Jim Kershner jimkershner@comcast.net

The Spokane Civic Theatre kicks off the inaugural season of Reading Stage on Sunday with a performance of “The Elephant Man,” by Bernard Pomerance.

This is a “reader’s theater” performance, meaning that the actors will read from scripts and that sets, costumes and staging will be minimal or nonexistent.

The Civic has chosen the top 21 English language plays of the 20th Century, as chosen by the The Drama League, for this Sunday evening series, presented in reverse order with “The Elephant Man” as No. 21.

This acclaimed play is based on the life of John Merrick, a deformed man who lived in London in the late 19th Century. The play is about his treatment at the hands of Dr. Frederick Treves and his acceptance, at least in one sense, by London society.

The role of Merrick will be read by Maynard Villers, Dr. Treves by Ron Varela and the actress Mrs. Kendal by Dawn Taylor Rinehardt. Jamie Flanery directs.

Reading Stage will be on Sunday, 7 p.m., at the Firth Chew Studio Theatre in the basement of the Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard. Tickets are $5 general admission, available only at the door on the night of the performance. Seating is limited to 99.

Upcoming Reading Stage productions will be “Twelve Angry Men” on Sept. 26, “Amadeus” on Oct. 3 and “Inherit the Wind” on Oct. 10.

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