American Premiere of Maurice, Based on Controversial Coming of Age Novel by E.M. Forster
New Conservatory Theatre Center, at Market (25 Van Ness Avenue San Francisco, CA 94102)
- Full Price:
- $25.00 - $45.00
- Our Price:
- $12.50 - $22.50*
New Conservatory Theatre Center presents the U.S. premiere of a new adaptation of E.M. Forster's coming of age novel, Maurice. The play takes place prior to World War 1 when homosexuality is outlawed in Great Britain. Clive, a privileged aristocrat, shocks his close friend Maurice by declaring his love for him. The two Cambridge classmates start a romantic relationship that breaks both class and sexual barriers. Forster's novel, which was also adapted into a 1987 film with Hugh Grant, was banned and not released for publication until after the author's death.
* Additional fees apply.
All offers for Maurice have expired.
The last date listed for Maurice was Saturday April 7, 2012 / 8:00pm.
Currently at New Conservatory Theatre Center:
Slipping: Bay-Area Premiere of Gay Teen Relationship Drama
- Full Price:
- $25.00 - $31.00
- Our Price:
- $12.50 - $15.50
Named one of the top ten plays of 2009 by The Advocate, Daniel Talbott's Slipping is an emotional drama about Eli, a high-school senior, who moves with his mother from California to Iowa after his dad's death. But after being mistreated by his closeted ex in California, Eli struggles with the idea of starting a new relationship with the straight star athlete who's befriended him and now wants to get even closer. New Conservatory Theatre Center is known for its innovative productions centered on theatrical work for youth and the LGBT community, and continues that mission with this show, directed by Andrew Nance. Learn More
at Market,
25 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco,
CA
94102
415-861-8972 (box office)
Goldstar Member Tips
-
boxoffice on What to Wear
Casual is fine
-
Melanie Bandera-Hess on Where to Eat
Drinks and snacks available there
-
Mike on Other
There is one 15 min intermission.
43 Goldstar Member Reviews
James
Go for the story, but set your theatrical expectations low.Written on Mar 04 2012
This story does a profound job of touching emotional memories for gay men who remember the pain, excitement, fear, confusion, and near-elation of their taboo love of male friends. It certainly hit that bittersweet spot for me, and that alone made this worthwhile despite the weaknesses of the production. I suggest that you check it out if you've lived some of these feelings or if you’re curious about closeted gay adolescence.
Unfortunately it wasn’t a whole lot more than a staged reading. The two lead actors did a good job, but a good deal of the acting was weak. The same performers may have been much stronger with better direction, but absent solid direction or clever staging, this was in large part lines thrown around a stage. Although the actors usually knew their lines well and sometimes delivered them to each other with feeling, it rarely felt like the characters came to life or truly interacted with each other. Minimal staging CAN work beautifully, but they built one lovely set, used simple light variations, and had the actors drag two chairs to different locations around the set every time they walked on or off. It got tedious, and rarely gave me a sense that they were changing locations. And two small but important notes: blankets on a floor do not make a bed in an upper class English estate, and just a bit of suit tailoring can go a long way.
For those of us who lived with these forbidden feelings, the emotional pull of the story is powerful. Bravo and thanks to E.M. Forster and the scriptwriters for that. But I think the New Conservatory can… and should… do a lot more with this play. Their mission is to champion gay theater, which I think means to tell our stories in a compelling way to a broader audience. They have a wonderful venue in the middle of our world-class city that represents gay freedom. I’d like to see them step up their theatrical quality a couple of notches.
- 5
- 5
- 4
Robert S.
Wonderful set design, engaging actors and a timeless tale of love. I thought all three lead actors were excellent. Because of the blond/brunette casting, I went home thoroughly convinced that Hugh Grant had played Maurice since I hadn't seen the film in nearly 25 years. From the writing and the scene structure, this did seem as though it was based on the film rather than the novel at times. And some of the direction was quite odd. I attended a preview so things might change. Still really enjoyed it but some editing could be used.Written on Mar 05 2012
- 6
- 5
- 0
Jerry D.
This is theater.................Written on Mar 05 2012
Everything was top notch.
- 5
- 4
- 0
Jerry D.
More Information About Maurice
Website
http://www.nctcsf.org/press_room/maurice.htm
Quotes & Highlights
- "An unusually well-tuned New Conservatory production under director George Maguire ... Maurice triumphs, with Forster's radical notion - given the times - that a man could learn to embrace and enjoy his homosexuality." --San Francisco Chronicle
Description
Directed by George Maguire, Maurice stars John Hurst, Hilary Hyatt, Alex Kirschner, Lindsey Murray, Andrew Nolan and Soren Santos.
The play contains adult content, brief nudity and sexual situations. It is recommended for audiences 16 and older.