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The Real Thing

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The Real Thing

By: Tom Stoppard
Narrated by: Andrea Bowen, Matt Gaydos, Carolyn Seymour, Simon Templeman, Douglas Weston, Joanne Whalley, Matthew Wolf
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Henry may be the wittiest playwright of his generation, but he’s hopelessly naïve when it comes to understanding love and infidelity. Writing about betrayal is one thing, living with it is another. After Henry leaves his wife for another woman, he’s confronted with being the cuckold himself. Both dazzlingly clever and emotionally naked, Henry’s search for the “the real thing” in art and love demonstrates beautifully why both are worth the effort in the end.

Recorded in Los Angeles before a live audience at the Skirball Cultural Center in November 2008.

Directed by Rosalind Ayres

Producing Director Susan Albert Loewenberg

An L.A. Theatre Works Full-Cast Performance Featuring:

Andrea Bowen as Debbie

Matthew Gaydos as Brodie and TV Director

Carolyn Seymour as Charlotte Simon Templeman as Henry

Douglas Weston as Max

Joanne Whalley as Annie

Matthew Wolf as Billy

Associate Producers: Jennifer Brooks and Christina Montaño Recording Engineer/Sound Designer/Editor/Mixer: Mark Holden for The Invisible Studios, West Hollywood Sound Effects Artist: Theresa Arrison Music Supervisor: Scott Willis

©2009 L.A. Theatre Works (P)2009 L.A. Theatre Works Drama & Plays Entertainment & Performing Arts European World Literature Theatre Entertainment
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Don't be fooled by the title; this isn't a play about Coke or Faith No More's best album (you watch; I'll get an argument on that last one) but rather a searching character piece about LOVE.

To be more specific, it explores the nature of love and how it means different things to different people. It includes betrayal, devotion, sex, parental love and that old favourite, unrequited love.

It also includes a brief exploration of highbrow and lowbrow art which, I suspect, is meant to draw a parallel with the nature of love... but, Hell, what do I know? My English Literature A Level was over twenty years ago now.

This is Tom Stoppard so you're guaranteed that it's going to be very clever and very funny. I laughed out loud a few times and listening to this play on my drive home was a great way to wash away the working week. Highly recommended.

It's the real Real Thing

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