THE PRODUCTION

Tom Kempinski’s Duet For One shines the spotlight on the unbridled passion that drives the artists among us—and the corresponding despair that follows when the ability to practice one’s art is snatched away.

At the heart of Duet for One is Stephanie Abrahams, a virtuosic violinist whose dazzling international career and whirlwind marriage are derailed when she is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The unforgiving disease decimates Stephanie’s nervous system, leaving her spirit in shambles and decades of music trapped in her body. For Stephanie, her art is not simply a career but a calling, and the inability to answer this call is unspeakably devastating—so unspeakable that, when we first meet Stephanie, she seems in complete denial of her predicament, which has left her immobile. It is in a wheelchair that we first glimpse Stephanie, as she wheels herself into the office of psychiatrist Dr. Feldmann at the behest of her husband, and the play begins.

Though the action of the play does not venture beyond Dr Feldmann’s office, Kempinski whisks the audience away on an emotional, heartfelt, and ultimately illuminative journey. Duet for One —which is based on the life of cellist Jacqueline du Pre, who battled multiple sclerosis, and her husband conductor Daniel Barenboim—follows Stephanie and Dr. Feldmann through six challenging psychiatric sessions. While the play is truly Stephanie’s journey through the stages of grief, one of the delights of Duet for One is that Stephanie has a lesson for Dr. Feldmann—and the audience by extension—as well.

Duet for One opened in the West End in 1980 and was later adapted into a critically acclaimed film featuring Dame Julie Andrews and Max von Sydow.

United Players’ upcoming production of Duet for One is directed by John Murphy, who applauds the craftsmanship of Kempinski’s script. “Not only are the characters finely wrought, but to pull off the feat of sustaining dramatic tension with only two characters on stage is very difficult, and the writer accomplishes it,” said Murphy. “He's created a great story, with a compelling protagonist, that we're rooting for the whole time. She's fighting for her life, and the writer unfolds the action in such a way that the stakes for the character get higher and higher as the show progresses, right up to the very end of the show.”

The production features powerhouse performances by Alison Raine and Graham Bullen. “Alison is able to capture the veneer of defenses and yet reveal the deep sorrow of this character; she does this with such subtlety and artistry, and it's really a pleasure to watch,” said Murphy. “Graham anchors the show so wonderfully. He brings a gravitas to the role, and captures the humanity of this character, too. Together, the two of them have an incredible chemistry. I'm very lucky to have such great actors in the show.” And according to Bullen, the rehearsal process has been stirring and revealing for the actors. “One of the challenges of an apparently quite static play has been to find areas to create physicality,” said Bullen. “We have been surprised to discover it is the wheelchair-bound character of Stephanie Abrahams who circles the still figure of the therapist—an interesting reversal of roles.”

Murphy hopes that Duet for One’s audiences will leave the theatre equipped with a deeper understanding of the life of an artist—and compassion for the spirited protagonist. “I hope audiences will leave thinking about Stephanie’s next step,” said Murphy. “It's what I want the audience to feel as they watch it, too: to be engaged and feel empathy for this compelling character.”

THE PLAYWRIGHT

Born in England in 1938, Playwright Tom Kempinski is best known for writing The Beautiful Part of Myself and Duet for One, and his involvement with the latter play extends beyond the initial script: Kempinski penned the screenplay for the film adaptation and was married to the actor Frances de la Tour, who originated the role of Stephanie Abrahams in the debut West End production.

Kempinski is also an actor, and has made appearances in numerous British television series and films, including Moonbase 3, Spy Trap, and Z Cars .

“Tom Kempinski is a wise enough writer to come up with no glib little capsule of truth and comfort. He also manages to make this dark subject matter dramatically compelling as the skilled psychiatrist probes his patient's defences, breaks down her denial, and persuades her to feel the full pain of her predicament as the only way of moving forward.”

–Charles Spencer, The Telegraph , January 2009

THE COMPANY

The play stars Alison Raine as Stephanie and Graham Bullen as Dr. Feldmann.

The Production team includes John Murphy, Director; Sean Malmas, Set Design; Amy Johnson, Costume Design; Jordan Watkins, Sound Design; Stephanie Elgersma, Stage Manager; Kyla Gardiner, Technical Director & Lighting Design.

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