INTERVIEW: Barrington Stage Company has gone for ‘The Birds’
Barrington Stage Company, the famed theater company in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, has become positively Hitchcockian this summer. They are currently presenting Conor McPherson’s adaptation of The Birds, and all signs point to a thrilling, bird-filled evening of terror and suspense.
At the center of the drama is Stevie Ray Dallimore, who plays Nat. Joining him in the Julianne Boyd-helmed production are Sasha Diamond as Julia, Rocco Sisto as Tierney and Kathleen McNenny as Diane.
For those who don’t know their cinema or short story history, The Birds began as a short story by Daphne du Maurier. The tale was later adapted for the screen by Alfred Hitchcock. Starring Tippi Hedren, the horror flick is one of the most influential films in Hollywood history.
McPherson’s take is inspired more by du Maurier’s original story. Nat and Diane are strangers who must take refuge in an abandoned cabin after the local area is inundated with terrifying flocks of birds. When other survivors show up at the cabin, the couple have to make some difficult choices. Audiences will no doubt see parallels to the modern-day reality of natural destruction.
Recently, Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Dallimore about the production, which runs at Barrington’s St. Germain Stage through July 8. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
As an actor, what do you like about Conor McPherson’s dialogue?
I like that he leaves bread crumbs and doesn’t make things too obvious. You have to listen. There is a mystery to the language that helps reveal character. I have found that the more I give over to the style of the dialogue, the more I learn about my character.
Were you familiar with the original short story and Alfred Hitchcock’s movie? Does having popular source material help, or do you try to build your character from scratch?
I was not as familiar with Daphne du Maurier’s original story, and I had seen Hitchcock’s film many years ago. But McPherson’s script is very different from both, so I did not feel the need to use either one as a reference for my preparation. (Although they were fun to look at while working on this).
It’s more gratifying and organic to me to build a character using my own imagination and what the playwright gives me. (Of course, direction and conversations during the rehearsal process all add to building character as well).
What’s it like to work with director Julianne Boyd?
This was my first time working with Julie, and I loved it. I appreciated how open she was to letting me try things (and letting me fail while remaining encouraging). I appreciated how ensemble-driven the process was. She has terrific energy, and we laughed a lot, which is wonderful considering how dark this play is.
How’s the experience of working at Barrington Stage Company compare to other companies?
I’m impressed with how much this little company in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is able to pull off with so little time. They work very hard. They get great people, and the quality of the work is very high. It’s a joy to work here. I love their outreach and education work as well — hugely important and run by great people. It feels like a family and a well-organized business at the same time.
What do you hope the audience takes away from each performance of The Birds?
A couple of things: The environment is not to be trifled with! Nature will turn on us if we keep up our arrogant and polluting ways. We will not survive.
What is each person’s true nature when it comes right down to it in the end? Who will you be? How will you behave? Does it matter?
Are you a fan of birds, or do they scare you in real life?
Ha ha. I am a big fan of birds and of nature in general. While I have been working on this play, I have walked my dog, Molly, on a trail in Pittsfield State Forrest nearly every morning, but I will say that I certainly look at birds differently now.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
The Birds is currently playing Barrington Stage Company’s St. Germain Stage through July 8. Click here for more information and tickets.
