Horsecross has lined up stars of stage and screen for its production of David Auburn's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play Proof, in Perth Theatre from Friday 29 January.
Gareth Thomas, who played Blake in Blake's 7, last seen in Perth in Of Mice and Men is joined by Neve McIntosh (Gormenghast, Bodies, Plunkett and Macleane). Perth Theatre regular Helen Logan (A Streetcar Named Desire, A Mug's Game) and Ewan Donald (Sunshine on Leith, Walden, New Town) complete the cast in this gripping work directed by Horsecross Arts' Ian Grieve.
First staged in 2001 and set in the current day, Proof is undoubtedly one of the best crafted new plays of recent years combining elements of mystery and surprise with a compelling story and absorbing characters.
Events centre around 25 year old Catherine (Neve McIntosh). Her adult life has been devoted to the love and care of her brilliant but unstable father Robert (Gareth Thomas). Following his death, the affections of a young man and the discovery of a mysterious mathematical proof draw Catherine into the most difficult problem of all: how much of her father's madness - or genius - will she inherit?
The simple setting, with all the action taking place on the porch of the family house in Chicago, allows the audience to immerse themselves in the characters' developing stories: the fragile and quirky Catherine, coming to terms with the death of her father, teetering on the brink of a new relationship; her sister Claire (Helen Logan) determined to ‘save' her sibling; their father Robert, seen in various stages of madness and genius, and ex-student Hal (Ewan Donald) intent on unearthing Robert's legacy.
At times funny at times sad and ultimately optimistic, this absorbing mystery grips audiences right from the start, drops in a real cliff-hanger at the end of Act One and heads at full pelt towards resolution carrying the audience along for the ride.
"Proof is a beautifully crafted domestic drama with a twist in the tale", said Ian Grieve,
"Its simple staging allows the audience to get right up there with the characters. As well as exploring the fine line between genius and madness and creating more than a degree of suspense, Proof is about relationships - family tensions, burgeoning love, and the importance of trust. The dialogue is clever and funny and the characters are absorbing from the outset - and it fair races along. It's a joy to direct, especially with such a fine cast."
Set and costume design is by another Perth Theatre regular, Kenny Miller.
Proof is at Perth Theatre from Friday 29 January to Saturday 13 February. For tickets and information contact Horsecross Box Office on 01738 621 031 or click here.