10:10am Wednesday 24th February 2010
A POWERFUL drama packed with humour and pathos will be showing at the Bridgwater Arts Centre from today.
Assassins is a Stephen Sondheim musical following the lives of assassins and would-be assassins of US Presidents, and is being directed by Bridgwater man Brian Buttle.
Brian Buttle will be retiring after 40 years in the director's chair, including work at the Bristol Old Vic. He said: “The first play I directed was back in 1970 at the arts centre, it told the story of Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker, it's therefore fitting that my last production should be at this same venue.
“During that time I have worked abroad, all over England, and the West Country in particular, directing, designing and constructing stage sets. I shudder to think of the total I have been involved in during the 40 years - it must be nearly 650!
“Having been a life-long enthusiast of Stephen Sondheim's work I have staged 18 of his musicals and am delighted to have been asked by Pinstripe Productions to stage this exciting, unique presentation as the finale to my long career”.
This year also marks the 80th birthday of Stephen Sondheim, whose work includes West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, Gypsy and A Little Night Music.
The event starts each night at 7.45pm. Tickets are £9.50 from the box office on 07926-038778.
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