Tag Archives: August Strindberg

POLLY STENHAM’S JULIE

“We think we are super ‘woke,’ yet in reality we rely on a whole cast of modern slaves.

“[JULIE] becomes really intersectional and really political. I wanted to show the dark heart of liberalism, especially in this building [the National Theatre in London]—which is populated by the liberal elite—and to go for the jugular. I’m part of it: Julie is not a million miles off me as a character.” — Polly Stenham*

Stenham’s dynamic modern take on Miss Julie follows the bare bones of August Strindberg’s plot: the title character—played by Vanessa Kirby—throws a raucous party to celebrate her new single status. She pays a visit to the kitchen—attended by her Brazilian maid (Thalissa Teixeira)—and draws the attention of her father’s driver (Eric Kofi Abrefa). Complications ensue.

 

JULIE

Sunday, September 30 and October 7, at 3 pm.

James Bridges Theater, UCLA, 235 Charles E. Young Drive, Los Angeles.

On rewiting Strindberg.

Vanessa Kirby and Eric Kofi Abrefa in Julie.