ROMAN NIGHTS -the drama about Tennessee Williams and Anna Magnani written by Franco D'Alessandro will have its U.K. debut in London at the New End Theatre!

Franco D'Alessandro's acclaimed Off-Broadway play will have its London U.K. debut in November of 2004. This biographical drama, which chronicles the turbulent and inspirational friendship of Anna Magnani and Tennessee Williams will run at the prestigious New End Theatre in Hampstead North London.

LONDON / NEW YORK CITY (PRWEB) September 11, 2004 -- WHAT:   Suzanne Corso and Patricia Cleary in association with Time to Storm and London's The New End Theatre present ROMAN NIGHTS by Franco D'Alessandro, The turbulent and inspirational relationship of legendary actress Anna Magnani and the great playwright Tennessee Williams is brought to life in this dramatic, funny, tragic and revealing story of a 25-year friendship between an artist and his muse. This inspiration would result in three theatrical master works: The Rose Tattoo, Orpheus Descending, and Sweet Bird of Youth. The two battle with various demons -real and imagined- including greedy agents and producers, betrayal by friends and lovers, and the ravages of age and addiction, as they make their way through the labyrinth of fame from Hollywood to New York to Rome. The play explores the relationship between the artist and the muse, as well as the concept of art imitating life. Roman Nights reveals many secrets about the individual genius of Magnani and Williams; as they shared careers and lives that were at once tragic and triumphant.

WHO:    Playwright FRANCO D'ALESSANDRO, is a two-time recipient of the Edward Albee Foundation Residency, a 2001 Eugene ONeill Playwrights Conference Finalist, a member of The Cherry Lane Theatre Playwrights Alternative, and is a Member of the Dramatists Guild of America. After 12 Off-Off Broadway and Regional Productions of various plays, ROMAN NIGHTS, which celebrates the lives of Williams and Magnani premiered Off-Broadway in the Fall of 2002 to great acclaim. This will mark D'Alessandro's London debut.

Director CAITRIONA McLAUGHLIN, whose recent productions in Dublin, Edinburgh and London have received great critical and audience acclaim, will head the production of this intelligent and provocative new play.

WHEN:   Previews Start November 10th, 2004.    Limited Run - 5 Weeks Only
Tickets On Sale Through The Box Office: 08700 332 733 from the US first dial 011-44

WHERE:   The New End Theatre - 27 New End, Hampstead, London UK

~ PRAISE FOR ROMAN NIGHTS ~
"A moving account of friendship... D'Alessandro has lovingly crafted this play with elegant, gracious prose that does justice to
Tennessee Williams."
- Irene Backalenick (BACKSTAGE)

"An often heartening tale of two famous people..." with "...plenty of snappy exchanges and a generous helping of biographical details."
- The New York Times

"An enchanted and haunting examination of friendship"
- The New Yorker

"Magnani and Williams are immortalized in this play."
- New York Magazine

"With intricate dialogue and passion D'Alessandro brings a complicated story of friendship and art vividly to life."
- Frederick Winship (Associated Press/ UPI)

"Filled with pathos and passion."
- David Cote TIMEOUT New York

"With heart and soul D'Alessandro narrates this story of Magnani and Williams and in doing so shows us much about the creative process. The volcanic character of Magnani he has created is powerful and true... a great text allows the actors to embody these two giants."
- Mario Fratti (Oggi America / La Repubblica)

"With a sure theatrical hand, DAlessandro fashions a dialogue illuminated by a fiery double helix of inspiration and love; a platonic torchsong fueled by their mutual passion for the theatre and for human love itself. Give your soul a break. Go see ROMAN NIGHTS."
- Bruce Smith, Author, COSTLY PERFORMANCES/Tennessee Williams: The Last Stage.

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