Opening tonight until March 24 at Salford's King Arms is Rising Moon Productions' ambitious revival of David Mamet's heavyweight 1975 drama, American Buffalo.
What elevates the production above the level of a typical fringe theatre show is its director - none other than one of the most lauded directors ever to work in the North West, former Bolton Octagon artistic chief David Thacker.
David began an illustrious career as an artistic director at what was Lancaster's Duke’s Playhouse in 1980. He went on to be director of the Young Vic, where he developed a professional relationship with Arthur Miller that led to productions of 11 of Miller's plays. His career took him to the National Theatre, Bolton's Octagon and to work in the USA, Israel and for the BBC. He produced nine shows for the Royal Shakespeare Company as director in residence and was artistic director of the Octagon Theatre from 2009-2015, when he stepped down to become Professor of Theatre at Bolton University, continuing as associate artistic director at the Octagon until the autumn of 2019.
Mamet's play takes place in a junk shop in Midwest America, where three small-time crooks plot to stage the theft of a coin collection (the "buffalo" was a famous five cent coin). In the hours leading up to the heist, friendship becomes the victim in a conflict between loyalty and business.
The production features Colin Connor, David MacCreedy and John O’Neill, all veterans of major theatre and TV productions
David Thacker said: "I was delighted to accept the invitation to direct American Buffalo at The King’s Arms. Without any arts funding, Lisa Connor has created one of the most important fringe venues in the North West and I’m keen to support her ambition to stage high-quality, accessible, affordable, home-produced professional theatre.
"Lisa hopes American Buffalo will be a catalyst for a year-long sustainable programme - collaborating with local creatives to deliver accessible, exciting and diverse theatre, and I hope I can help advance this aspiration.
"I’m excited to have the opportunity of working again with Colin Connor, David MacCreedy and John O’Neill."
More info and tickets here