Bound to keep theatregoers on the edge of their seats, Misery follows successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon, rescued from a car crash by his “number one fan,” Annie Wilkes.
While Annie nurses him back to health, Paul soon realizes that he is not her guest, but her captive. Angered that he has killed off her favourite character, Annie forces Paul to resurrect Misery in a new book—and Paul soon finds himself writing for his freedom…and his life.
The stage adaptation of Stephen King’s thriller was created by two-time Academy Award winner William Goldman, who penned the 1990 screen version of the book.
Goldman’s most well-known screenplays include Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay), The Stepford Wives, All the President’s Men (Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay), Dolores Claiborne and Absolute Power.
In addition to Misery, his works for the theatre include Blood, Sweat, and Stanley Poole and A Family Affair, both written with his brother, James Goldman.
On bringing this genre to the stage, Artistic Managing Director Bill Millerd says, “Misery is a show we’ve all been looking forward to for some time. Staging a thriller by the master of the genre is a rare opportunity and we’re excited to bring something quite different with this show. Director Rachel Ditor has given our longtime Properties Master Michael Gall and his team the chance to really show off their talent for special effects.”
Ditor adds, “Casting such warm and fearless performers as Lucia Frangione and Andrew McNee adds some humanity to this classic thriller. In them we have people to root for and identify with in a way that makes the most of experiencing this story live.”
Misery stars Lucia Frangione, Andrew McNee and Munish Sharma and is on tour through February 8.
2018 Tour Schedule
January 5 and 6: Kay Meek Centre, West Vancouver | 604.981.6335
January 7: Anvil Centre, New Westminster | 604.521.5050
January 9: The BlueShore at Cap, North Vancouver | 604.990.7810
January 10 to 20: Surrey Arts Centre, Surrey | 604.501.5566
January 23 to 27: Evergreen Cultural Centre, Coquitlam | 604.927.6555
January 30: Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre, Vernon | 250.549.SHOW (7469)
February 3 and 4: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby | 604.205.3000
February 6: Chilliwack Cultural Centre, Chilliwack | 604.391.SHOW (7469)
February 7: Clarke Theatre, Mission: | 1.877.299.1644
February 8: The ACT Arts Centre, Maple Ridge: | 604.476.2787
Photo by David Cooper.