Artist Descending A Staircase

A Radio Play by Tom Stoppard
Available for Streaming April 5 – April 18, 2021
Price: Free Admission, Registration Required*
Running time: 85 minutes

Artist Descending A Staircase is one of Stoppard’s brilliant early radio plays, written in 1972 and a precursor to Travesties, The Real Thing and The Invention of Love. The story, full of sparkling wit, heart-wrenching romance and modern art, begins with the mysterious death of one of three very old men, all artists and friends since their schooldays. The two elderly survivors hilariously set about examining their emotional and artistic histories, descending backwards in time from 1972 to 1914 and forwards again, tracing their intertwined youthful relationships and unconsciously uncovering the tragedy in their past.

* Although registration is required to tune in, we’re proud to present Artist Descending A Staircase at no cost to listeners while compensating all artists involved. Any donations made today will help us continue to create theatrical content and support artists. Thank you for your generosity!

Text that reads Artist Descending a Staircase by Tom Stoppard on top of a black staircase with blue, yellow and red opaque squares surrounding it.
Click here to download a PDF of the show playbill

Between the Lines Lecture

Missed our Between the Lines lecture on Sunday, April 11 with Artistic Director Nick Sandys, Artist Descending A Staircase Director James Bohnen and Assistant Director Greg Matthew Anderson?
 
Click the video on the right to watch the discussion on Artist Descending A Staircase!

Reviews

“Stoppard’s brilliant and witty dialog about modern art and artists, spoken by four superb Remy Bumppo actors, might have you yearning to use the Google machine. But don’t do it during the play. Just listen and let yourself sink into the mood and appreciate the dialog.” – Third Coast Review

“Four very solid performers bringing a story to life, knowing that we can only feel what the writer and director want felt through their voices. Not an easy task, but one that they handle with great authority.” – Around The Town Chicago

Cast

Beauchamp – Nick Sandys
Martello – Annabel Armour
Donner – Peter A. Davis
Sophie – Aurora Real De Asua

Production

Director – James Bohnen 
Assistant Director – Greg Matthew Anderson
Stage Manager – Tara Kelly
Sound Engineer & Audio Producer – Christopher Kriz
 

Artist Descending A Staircase is generously underwritten by Mary and Bruce Feay, Mary and Mike Pavia, and David and Susan Weidenfeld. Remy Bumppo Theatre Company would also like to thank Presenting Sponsor Geoffrey A. Anderson and Season Sponsors Brenda and James Grusecki for their support.

Administrative Office

3759 N. Ravenswood Avenue
Suite 124
Chicago, IL 60613
773.244.8119

Performance Venue

Theater Wit
1229 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60657
Box Office: 773.975.8150

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