’’Love Letters’’ Brings Leading Lights Of Hollywood To Dubai Stage In Dubai Shopping Festival 2013

Greats such as Jennifer Powers and David Soul to star in Pulitzer-nominated play’s city production on the festival’s last three days

Theatre lovers in Dubai will get the rare opportunity of seeing Hollywood luminaries Stefanie Powers and David Soul live in action on stage from January 31 to February 2 as they star in the acclaimed, Pulitzer-nominated play “Love Letters” written by one of America’s most noted playwrights A. R. Gurney.

The English language play is being presented by Jamie Wilson Productions and Arts For All, as a part of the exciting line-up during the Dubai Shopping Festival, and will be staged from January 31 to February 2, at the Madinat Theatre, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, with a show each day at 8pm.

“Love Letters” maps a 50-year relationship between impulsive, rebellious Melissa Gardner, played by Powers, and dependable, staid Andrew Makepeace Ladd III, played by Soul. From the first exchange of thank you notes and RSVPs, a lifetime of letter writing ensues. Creating a canvas where the protagonists often find it easier to express their true feelings on paper than in person, “Love Letters” is a witty and often candid glimpse into an unconventional romance.

The piece de resistance of the play’s Dubai production is the people associated with it, right from award-winning British director Ian Talbot, who has been honoured by an OBE for his contribution to theatre. Powers plays the female protagonist and brings with her a vast experience of the eclectic characters that she has famously essayed on films and television over the years. She is best known for her powerful portrayal of Jennifer Hart in the 1980s television series “Hart to Hart” and for her leading roles in popular Hollywood productions such as “The Boatniks” and “Herbie Rides Again”. Nominated for several Emmy and Golden Globe awards, Powers also has a star dedicated to her on the Hollywood walk of fame in Los Angeles, USA. She has been associated with the productions of “Love Letters” for a long time and her portrayals of Melissa Gardner garnered her the prestigious Sarah Siddons Award in 1993.

The male lead in the play, meanwhile, will be performed by Soul an American-British actor and singer who shot to fame with his role as Detective Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson in the iconic television series “Starsky and Hutch”, a role he reprised in a small appearance on the Hollywood film of the same name. His oeuvre includes appearances in such global classic televisions series as “Star Trek”, “I Dream of Jeannie” and “All in the Family”, among others, as well as in films such as the Dirty Harry series’ “Magnum Force” where he stars opposite Clint Eastwood. A versatile actor and singer, Soul is one of the leading lights of London’s West End and has also acted in film productions of Agatha Christie’s Poirot series of whodunits. 

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Jan 30, 2013

Back