Josh Richards' amazing reincarnation of the original Welsh roaring boyo, Playing Burton, hits Carmarthen’s Lyric, 25 February. Directed by Guy Masterson (Richard Burton's great nephew), brilliantly poetic, dramatically traumatic and wonderfully witty, this is an insiders’ view; a true reflection on the trappings of celebrity and the destructiveness of fame.The great Welsh roaring boyo, one of the most powerful actors and personalities of the Twentieth Century, Richard Burton appeared to waste his talent, squander his millions, drink himself to and early death... He was the most nominated actor never to win an Oscar. From humble roots as the 12th child of a drunken Welsh miner, he rose to become the World's first megastar. Rarely out of the papers for three decades and infamously married to Elizabeth Taylor, the word 'paparazzi' was coined for them... But the real Burton, little Richie Jenkins, was known only to a few. Presented in Burton's own words and those of the great writers he admired, Welshman Josh Richards reincarnates both the actor and the myth in a moving, powerfully charming, deeply profound performance. An emotional helter-skelter ride through the life of a flawed genius. And have things changed? As we witness this passion-fuelled genius crash to a vodka-soaked wreck, we ask how steep is the price we still demand our idols to pay? Directed by Burton's great nephew, Guy Masterson, Mark Jenkins' play was first presented in Edinburgh in '94 to huge acclaim. It returned equally successfully to Edinburgh in 1997 and 2007. And has since been produced elsewhere with three other actors taking the role. Josh Richards is the man who created it... This is the original and the best; a five star show wherever it has been performed and certainly not to be missed! "Haunting, mesmerising, deliriously literate. A shattering experience!" Daily Mail Tickets, priced £5.50 - £7.50, are available from the box office: 0845 226 3510 |
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Thursday, February 19, 2009 |
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