Orbits

Orbits follows the planet-sized egos of the left wing German playwright Bertolt Brecht and Hollywood film star Charles Laughton as they negotiate the translation and adaptation of Brecht’s play ‘Life of Galileo’ for its American premiere, with Laughton playing the lead.

The themes of ‘Life of Galileo’ – an account of Galileo’s trial for the heresy of believing that the Earth orbits the Sun and his subsequent recantation under threat of torture – are reflected in the lives of Laughton, a gay man in the climate of 1940s America, and Brecht, whose left wing sympathies would lead him before the House Un-American Activities Committee.

The play explores how – just as Galileo crumbled under the Inquisition – Brecht’s beloved ‘concrete truth’ could crumble under pressures, political, historical and personal.

Cast & Creatives

Writer – Wally Sewell
Director – Anthony Shrubsall
Producer – Lucy Appleby
Actor (playing Brecht) – Peter Saracen
Actor (playing Laughton) – Edmund Dehn
Costume Designer – Mariya Ivanova

Website & Social Media

Website: www.entiretheatrecompany.com
Twitter: @entiretheatre
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Entire-Theatre-Company-1713681858854357/

Review / Quotes

★★★★ “Tracks the fine line between genius and vanity” – The Stage

★★★★ “Forces us to reflect on questions about the nature of scientific and dramatic truth” – Live Theatre UK

★★★★ “A must for those who desire theatre that stimulates the mind ” – Everything Theatre

★★★★ “A remarkable and thought-provoking piece of theatre” – Theatre Bubble

★★★★ “Gains intensity in the intimate auditorium” – Pocket Size Theatre

★★★★ “…Some really funny moments…” “Very strong two person play…” Matthew Partridge – Remote Goat

★★★★ “…Like a boxing match, the two characters jab punches towards each other’s beliefs, convictions and philosophies.” “…a highly enjoyable play…” Penny Culliford – Remote Goat

“…A remarkable account of a remarkable series of meetings… …beautifully performed, I only wished I had had the chance to see the play again because I am certain it would reward repeated viewings…” Tony Palmer – film director

“A fascinating play about two great artists.” Carolin Kopplin – UK Theatre Network

“…A fine play…” “…both actors were excellent…” Starcourse blog

“Truly gripping and thought provoking… …as relevant today as it was in Germany in the 1940s or in seventeenth century Rome.” Anne Dunhill – Independent Catholic News Review