Pacific Resident Theatre presents Edward Albee’s Fam and Yam, directed by Marilyn Fox and Harold Pinter’s The Dumb Waiter, directed by Marilyn Fox and Elina de Santos. Edward Albee was American, Harold Pinter was British. Pinter was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2005. Edward Albee received Pulitzer and Tony Awards for five of his plays.

Both plays Fam And Yam and The Dumb Waiter were first produced in 1960, a tumultuous time in which the US and England were still processing the consequences of World II, the Korean War, the crushing of the Hungarian revolt, the Cold War, the Suez crisis, and, in the case of England, the decolonization movements in Asia and Africa. The two plays are examples of the movement called theatre of the absurd.

Albee‘s Fam and Yam is a traditional play where famous playwright Fam (Brad Greenquist, Theatre Review: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner) is interviewed by Yam (Jason Downs), also a playwright who is not famous. The conversation starts by Yam praising Fam for his apartment, his paintings, and the views from his window. As Fam continues to drink, Yam switches the conversation and starts to lambaste the theatre industry; pretty much no one is spared in his tirade—theatre owners, producers, unions, critics, the pinheads, etc. The play is an early example of Albee’s wit and his aggressive, anti-social stance. For this production, the creative team used high key lighting, appealing and fashionable 60s costumes, and painting on the wall that become alive at the end.     

Pinter‘s The Dumb Waiter is a darker play where two hitmen, Ben (Anthony Foux) and Gus (Jason Downs) are waiting in a claustrophobic room for their victim. The absurdity of the story is exemplified by the box of matches thrown under the door and the food orders in the dumb waiter (the elevator which delivers food) that keep coming. As part of the angry young men group, Pinter’s writings contain elements of violence, volatility, and uncertainty. His plays have moments of dialogue but also moments of silence. As in music, silence is as critical as sound to create a masterpiece.

Pinter was an intuitive writer that was a keen observer of human behavior. The Dumb Waiter is a play with implied violence, characters with not much background stories, suffocating environment (Ben and Gus are in a dark, windowless room), and a sense of latent danger. These elements with loose ends draw the audience into the story and allow them to become part of the action by letting them come up with their own conclusions.

This is a great opportunity to see two plays by two of the most influential playwrights of the 20th century. Their writings are witty, insightful, and poetic. Add to this treat the powerful and superb performances of Brad Greenquist, Anthony Foux, and Jason Downs  and you have a unique and unforgettable experience not to be missed.

Fam And Yam and The Dumb Waiter

Fam And Yam. Written by Edward Albee and directed by Marilyn Fox. The Dumb Waiter. Written by Harold Pinter and directed by Marilyn Fox and Elina de Santos. Cast: Brad Greenquist, Anthony Foux, and Jason Downs. Creative team: William Wilday (Scenic Design), Matt Richter (Lighting Design), Audrey Eisner (Costume Design), Christopher Moscatiello (Sound Design), Teak Piegdon (Stage Manager), Myrna Gawryn (Set Change Movement), and Michael Rothhaar (Consultant). 

Pacific Resident Theatre
705 1⁄2 Venice Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
Street parking or small lot in back.

September 24 – November 20
8pm Thursdays – Saturdays, 3pm Sundays
Closing: November 20, 2022 (no performance November 19)

Tickets: https://pacificresidenttheatre.org/albee-pinter