Stoneham Presents "The Cutting"
In U. S. Premiere

Stoneham Theatre will present the U. S. Premiere of "The Cutting" from February 28 - March 16. The play is by British actress and mystery novelist Maureen O’Brien. Her first play, "The Cutting" explores the tragedy of a woman lost in silence and the extraordinary recovery of the human spirit.  Producing Artistic Director Weylin Symes will direct the production.

Judith (played by Eve Kagan) is in prison, on remand, accused of killing her mother. She has not spoken for six months. A child psychiatrist (played by Rachel Harker), is called in as a last resort to make a psychiatric assessment. Her job is to unlock Judith’s tongue. A relationship is forged, and an extraordinary story is revealed.

The London Theatre Record described "The Cutting" as  "A gem of inner discovery... gripping theatre... uncompromisingly intelligent and unsentimentally moving."

"The Cutting" was first produced at the Bush Theatre London in 1992. It was nominated for the London Fringe Awards (Best New Play) and the London Evening Standard Awards (Best Newcomer). The following year it entered the repertoire of the National Theatre of Finland in Helsinki where it ran for a year, and had a separate production at the Kemi City Theatre in the north west of Finland in 1994. In 1996 there was an acclaimed Italian production at the Taormina Theatre Festival in Sicily and in 1997 another at Teatro Per L'Europa in Rome. The most recent production of "The Cutting" was in Austria at the Vienna Theatre Project in January 2004. The play has recently been optioned for an English-speaking feature film, with a script by Arend Agthe ("Karakum").

Symes commented, ""What first drew me to 'The Cutting' was the the opportunity to explore what causes someone to do the unthinkable. We are surrounded by violence these days, but how often do we get such an intimate look inside the life and mind of someone who may have committed a horrific crime? This play not only lets us do that, but makes us see the human side of such a person. Combined with the terrific acting challenge of having a character on stage who refuses to speak for a third of the play, it makes for a fascinating piece of theatre as we watch two people struggle to understand each other and themselves. I am additionally thrilled to be working with two very talented actresses, Rachel Harker and Eve Kagan."

Maureen O’Brien was born in Liverpool, trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, and was a founder member of the Liverpool Everyman Theatre. She continues enjoying a thriving career as an actor on prestigious stages and on screen. Her roles range from Vicki in "Dr Who" to Elektra in the Oresteia. She has twice won the Sony Best Actress award for her work on radio and also has awards for audiobooks, which she continues to record. In 1987, encouraged by the production of a radio play "Going On," she wrote her first novel Close Up on Death, and since then has combined both careers. O'Brien is the author of seven crime novels, Close-up on Death, Deadly Reflection, which she has also adapted as a screenplay, Mask of Betrayal, Dead Innocent, Revenge, Unauthorized Departure,  and Every Step You Take, all featuring Detective Inspector John Bright.
 
Rachel Harker was last seen at Stoneham Theatre in "The Odd Couple" with Sherman Hemsley. Last year she appeared Off-Broadway in "Bill W. and Dr. Bob." Earlier this season she appeared at New Repertory Theatre as Blanche in "Streetcar Named Desire."
 
Eve Kagan returns to Stoneham Theatre after playing Louise in the Fall production of "Gypsy" and Aouda in the 2006 production of "Around the World in 80 Days." Her recent film credits include Nick Cassavetes’ "The Notebook," with television appearances in "Alias," "The L Word," "The Parkers" and "Colombo Likes the Nightlife."
 
For tickets and information call the box office at 781-279-2200 or visit www.stonehamtheatre.org.

-- OnStage Boston