The Exorcist (play)

Last updated
The Exorcist
The Exorcist play artwork.jpg
Written by John Pielmeier
Based on The Exorcist
by William Peter Blatty
CharactersChris
Father Merrin
Father Karras
Regan
Dr. Strong
Dr. Klein
Father Joe
Burke
Date premiered3 July 2012 (2012-07-03)
Place premiered Geffen Playhouse, Los Angeles
GenreHorror

The Exorcist is a play by John Pielmeier based on the novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty and is part of The Exorcist franchise. The story revolves around a young girl, Regan MacNeil, who is possessed by a demonic spirit. Her mother, Chris, seeks out to the church to perform an exorcism.

Contents

Production history

In February 2008, American playwright John Pielmeier expressed an interest in adapting William Peter Blatty's novel of the same name into a play and soon met with Blatty. He then began working on a script for the play, in which the first draft was completed in ten days. [1]

Los Angeles premiere (2012)

The play had its world premiere at the Gil Gates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles from July 3 until August 12, 2012. It was directed by John Doyle, designed by Scott Pask, lighting design by Jane Cox, sound design by Dan Moses Schreier with music by Sir John Tavener. Teller (of magicians Penn & Teller) served as a creative consultant. The production starred Brooke Shields as Chris, Richard Chamberlain as Father Merrin and David Wilson Barnes as Father Damien. [2]

UK productions (2016–19)

Birmingham (2016)

In 2016 the play made its UK premiere at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, produced in association with Bill Kenwright (by arrangement with Ben Sprecher and Stuart Snyder) and ran from 21 October to 5 November. [3] The production was directed by Sean Mathias, designed by Anna Fleischle, lighting design by Tim Mitchell, music and sound design by Adam Cork, video and projection design by Duncan McLean with illusions by Ben Hart. The cast featured Jenny Seagrove as Chris, Peter Bowles as Father Merrin, Adam Garcia as Father Damien and Clare Louise Connolly as Regan. [4] Sir Ian McKellen provided the pre-recorded voice of the demon.

West End (2017–18)

The Birmingham production transferred to the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End from 20 October 2017 for a strictly limited run until 10 March 2018. Seagrove, Bowles, Garcia, and Connolly returned to production with the majority of the Birmingham cast. [5] [6]

UK and Ireland tour (2019)

Following the London run, a UK and Ireland tour began in September 2019 at the Theatre Royal, Windsor before touring to the Theatre Royal, Glasgow, New Wimbledon Theatre, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Milton Keynes Theatre, The Alexandra, Birmingham, Opera House Manchester, Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, King's Theatre, Edinburgh, Eden Court Theatre, Inverness and His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The production starred Sophie Ward as Chris and Paul Nicholas as Merrin.

Characters and cast

CharacterLos AngelesBirminghamWest EndUK and Ireland tour
2012201620172019
Chris MacNeil Brooke Shields Jenny Seagrove Sophie Ward
Father Merrin Richard Chamberlain Peter Bowles Paul Nicholas
Father Damien Karras David Wilson Barnes Adam Garcia Ben Caplan
Regan MacNeil Emily YetterClare Louise ConnollySusannah Edgley
Doctor Strong Stephen Bogardus Todd Boyce Stephen Billington
Doctor KleinTom NeilsMitchell MullenPatrick Toomey
Father Joe Manoel Felciano Joseph WilkinsElliot HarperJoseph Wilkins
Burke Dennings Harry Groener Tristram Wymark
The Demon Ian McKellen (voice)
CarlaRoslyn Ruff


Critical reception

The Los Angeles production received mixed reviews from the critics, but the audiences responded enthusiastically. Due to this, Pielmeier has stated that he has made a major re-write on the script in preparation for a second production. [1]

Birmingham and West End production received mixed to positive reviews from the critics and audiences.

Related Research Articles

<i>The Exorcist</i> (novel) 1971 horror novel by William P. Blatty

The Exorcist is a 1971 horror novel written by American writer William Peter Blatty and published by Harper & Row. The book details the demonic possession of eleven-year-old Regan MacNeil, the daughter of a famous actress, and the two priests who attempt to exorcise the demon. The novel was the basis of a highly successful film adaptation released two years later, whose screenplay was also written and produced by Blatty. More movies and books were eventually added to The Exorcist franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donald Margulies</span> American playwright

Donald Margulies is an American playwright and academic. In 2000, he won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play Dinner with Friends.

<i>Exorcist II: The Heretic</i> 1977 film by John Boorman

Exorcist II: The Heretic is a 1977 American horror film directed by John Boorman and written by William Goodhart. It is the second installment in The Exorcist film series and the sequel to The Exorcist (1973), and stars Linda Blair, Richard Burton, Louise Fletcher, Max von Sydow, Kitty Winn, Paul Henreid, and James Earl Jones. It was the last film to feature veteran actor Paul Henreid. Set four years after the previous film, the film centers on the now 16-year-old Regan MacNeil, who is still recovering from her previous demonic possession.

<i>The Exorcist</i> 1973 film by William Friedkin

The Exorcist is a 1973 American supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin from a screenplay by William Peter Blatty, based on his 1971 novel. The film stars Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Jason Miller, and Linda Blair, and follows the demonic possession of a young girl and her mother's attempt to rescue her through an exorcism by two Catholic priests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Garcia</span> Australian actor and tap dancer

Adam Garcia is an Australian stage, television, and film actor who is best known for lead roles in musicals such as Saturday Night Fever and Kiss Me, Kate. He is also a trained tap dancer and singer. Garcia has been nominated twice at the Laurence Olivier Awards in 1999 and 2013.

<i>Exorcist: The Beginning</i> 2004 film by Renny Harlin

Exorcist: The Beginning is a 2004 American supernatural horror film directed by Renny Harlin from a screenplay by Alexi Hawley. It is the fourth installment in The Exorcist film series and serves as a prequel to The Exorcist (1973). The film stars Stellan Skarsgård, Izabella Scorupco, and James D'Arcy. The film follows Father Lankester Merrin, whose faith has been renounced after his experiences in World War II, as he works as an archeologist and discovers dark occurrences while excavating in Kenya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nottingham Playhouse</span>

Nottingham Playhouse is a theatre in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England. It was first established as a repertory theatre in 1948 when it operated from a former cinema in Goldsmith Street. Directors during this period included Val May and Frank Dunlop. The current building opened in 1963.

<i>Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist</i> 2005 film by Paul Schrader

Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist is a 2005 American supernatural horror film directed by Paul Schrader and written by William Wisher Jr. and Caleb Carr. The film serves as an alternative prequel to The Exorcist (1973) and is the fifth installment in The Exorcist series. It was intended to be the official prequel to The Exorcist before it was retooled into Exorcist: The Beginning (2004), as Morgan Creek Productions executives feared the already completed film would be unsuccessful. The film stars Stellan Skarsgård, Clara Bellar, Gabriel Mann and Billy Crawford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regan MacNeil</span> Fictional character from The Exorcist franchise

Regan Teresa MacNeil is a fictional character in the 1971 novel The Exorcist and one of the supporting characters in its 1973 film adaptation and the 1977 film Exorcist II: The Heretic, while being one of the main protagonists in the first season of the television series The Exorcist (2016–2017). She was portrayed by Linda Blair in both films and by Geena Davis in the television series. Blair reprised the role in the 2023 film, The Exorcist: Believer.

George William Stiles is an English composer of musicals for the stage.

Pazuzu (<i>The Exorcist</i>) Fictional character in The Exorcist horror novels and film series

Pazuzu is a fictional character who is the main antagonist in The Exorcist horror novels and film series, created by William Peter Blatty. Blatty derived the character from Assyrian and Babylonian mythology, where the mythic Pazuzu was considered the king of the demons of the wind, and the son of the god Hanbi. In The Exorcist, Pazuzu appears as a demon who possesses Regan MacNeil.

Bart DeLorenzo is a Los Angeles-based theater director and producer. He is the founding artistic director of the Evidence Room theater, a 17-year-old company renowned in Los Angeles for contemporary theater productions.

Farragut North is the 2008 Off-Broadway debut play of playwright Beau Willimon, loosely based on former Governor Howard Dean's 2004 Democratic primary election campaign for U.S. President. The original script won the 2005 Dayton Playhouse FutureFest, where it was first produced, to rave reviews by critics and a warm response from audiences.

John Pielmeier is an American playwright, screenwriter and novelist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birmingham Repertory Theatre</span> Theatre in Birmingham, England

Birmingham Repertory Theatre, commonly called Birmingham Rep or just The Rep, is a producing theatre based on Centenary Square in Birmingham, England. Founded by Billie Lester, it is the longest-established of Britain's building-based theatre companies and one of its most consistently innovative.

<i>The Exorcist III</i> 1990 film by William Peter Blatty

The Exorcist III is a 1990 American psychological horror film written for the screen and directed by William Peter Blatty, based on his 1983 novel Legion. It is the third installment in The Exorcist film series, and the final installment in Blatty's "Trilogy of Faith" after The Ninth Configuration (1980). The film stars George C. Scott, Ed Flanders, Jason Miller, Scott Wilson, Nicol Williamson, and Brad Dourif.

<i>The Exorcist</i> (franchise) American horror media franchise

The Exorcist is an American horror media franchise that originated with William Peter Blatty's 1971 horror novel of the same name and most prominently featured in a 1973 film adaptation of the novel, and many subsequent prequels and sequels. All of these installments focus on fictional accounts of people possessed by Pazuzu, the main antagonist of the series, and the efforts of religious authorities to counter this possession.

<i>The Invisible Hand</i> (play)

The Invisible Hand is a play written by playwright, novelist, and screenwriter Ayad Akhtar. The play centers around American banker Nick Bright, specializing in the Pakistani futures market, who is kidnapped by a terrorist organization looking to protect local community interests. It examines the nature of greed and pits the pervasive philosophy of capitalism against Islamic fanaticism, revealing unifying human passions, underlying tensions, and failings that span the ideological spectrum.

<i>Whats New Pussycat?</i> (musical) 2021 jukebox musical

What's New Pussycat? is a jukebox musical with the songs of Welsh singer Sir Tom Jones and a book by Joe DiPietro. It is based on Henry Fielding's 1749 novel The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling with the setting updated to the 1960s London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2017 play)</span> 2017 stage adaptation of the novel

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is a stage adaptation of the book of the same name by C. S. Lewis, the first installment of The Chronicles of Narnia. The play was devised by the original company with Adam Peck as the writer in the room.

References

  1. 1 2 "The Exorcist | John Pielmeier". johnpielmeier.com. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  2. Playhouse, Geffen. "The Exorcist at Geffen Playhouse | Best Live Shows and Theatrical Performances in Los Angeles". geffenplayhouse.org. Archived from the original on 2016-07-30. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  3. "The Exorcist to make UK stage premiere in new Birmingham Rep season | News | The Stage". 2016-05-18. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  4. Ltd, Made Media. "Full Cast & Creative Team Announced For The Most Terrifying Show This Year at Birmingham Repertory Theatre". www.birmingham-rep.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  5. "The Exorcist to terrify West End this Halloween". www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-08-09.
  6. "Adam Garcia leads the cast of The Exorcist in the West End". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 2017-09-14.