That’s the signpost: You’re ‘Outward Bound’
“Outward Bound” launches at The Pewter Plough on Friday, April 20. The supernatural fantasy drama takes an often humorous look at a group of strangers on a mysterious ocean voyage that leads to surprising revelations about their lives and life in general.
The second show of The Pewter Plough’s 36th season was written by Sutton Vane in 1923.
Seven bewildered strangers meet in the ship’s handsome art deco bar lounge, none quite sure why they’re there, with only one crewman aboard, and begin to unravel the journey’s mysterious meaning, the pivotal back stories behind each of their lives, finding some truths and surprises along the way.
The influential British classic, written in 1923, was a hit in London and Broadway. It anticipates metaphysical themes later made famous by such works as television’s “The Twilight Zone.”
The passengers include a crooked financier, a snooty upper-class socialite, an observant neurotic who drinks too much, a good-hearted housekeeper with a secret, an apologetic clergyman and a brother and sister with family problems. Also on board is a quietly efficient ship’s steward, who knows more than he lets on, and a late-arriving visitor who takes things in hand.
The London production set Leslie Howard on the path to stardom. The New York show included Alfred Lunt and Howard. A later Broadway revival, directed by Otto Preminger, starred Vincent Price and Laurette Taylor.
Two movies have been made of the play. The first starred Howard and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. A remake, entitled “Between Two Worlds,” starred John Garfield, Sydney Greenstreet and Paul Henreid.
The Cambria cast features George Anderson, Craig Brooke, Jerry McKinnon, Janice Peters, Jerry Praver, Blake Spiller, Paige Spiller, Mike Shanley and Sharyn Young. The director is Anita Schwaber.
Schwaber is also the Playhouse’s board president and has directed many plays at the Plough, the most recent “Becky’s New Car” last year.
Tickets, $25, to a champagne opening Saturday, April 21, include a champagne and dessert buffet after the show, with pianist-vocalist David Manion performing live.
Friday night shows are $15; other shows are $20 ($18 for seniors and students).
The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays (April 29, May 13, 27 and June 3) through June 3. The playhouse is at 824 Main St., Cambria.
Call 927-3877 for reservations; go to www.pewterploughplayhouse.org for details.
This story was originally published April 19, 2012 at 11:49 AM with the headline "That’s the signpost: You’re ‘Outward Bound’."