INTERVIEW: Stanley Townsend brings Paul Muldoon’s words to life at Irish Rep
Photo: Incantata, written by Paul Muldoon, stars Stanley Townsend. Photo courtesy of Carol Rosegg / Provided by Matt Ross PR with permission.
Incantata, the new play at Irish Repertory Theatre in New York City, stars Stanley Townsend and features poetic ruminations about life and loss. His guide for the theatrical evening is the writer Paul Muldoon, a Pulitzer Prize winner.
Muldoon was inspired to write this “moving elegy” after the death of his beloved partner, Mary Farl Powers, a printmaker who died at 43 years old, according to press notes. Helping take Muldoon’s poetry from the page to the stage is director Sam Yates and composer Teho Teardo.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Townsend about his new role in Incantata, a one-hour show that continues through March 15. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
When did you first come to appreciate the writing of Paul Muldoon?
I have known of Paul for a long time, but this working experience has opened me to the wonder and fun of the great Muldoon.
Did you work with Paul Muldoon to better understand the emotions, feelings and poetry of the piece?
Paul was utterly generous in the freedom he gave to us to interpret his writing. We could repeat and be with his words as we chose. This was his gift to us. He believes the poem comes through him and so does not choose to analyze it too much.
What’s it like working with director Sam Yates?
It has been a joy. The truest collaboration I have engaged in to make a piece of theatre with fellow practitioners that I have been involved with, all instigated and directed by the incomparable Sam Yates.
Have Irish audiences and American audiences reacted differently to the piece?
I can’t say I have found a great difference between the two sets of audiences. Both have laughed readily, then listened to a pin drop and been generous to a fault. If there is a difference I feel they listen incredibly hard here, which is wonderful.
What do you feel the piece says about life and love?
Talk to each other; listen to each other; live; love and if you can in any way or form make art.
Is it easier or more difficult to act in a show by yourself on stage?
Both. Easier because it has a complete freedom, more difficult because you miss the other players dreadfully. You have to generate all the energy yourself in what is usually such a communal endeavor. It’s oddly lonely.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Incantata, starring Stanley Townsend, continues through March 15 at the Irish Repertory Theatre in Manhattan. Click here for more information and tickets.
