Department of Theatre Presents 'The Moors'

Ash Micheel

The Moors Poster

The Department of Theatre in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences presents playwright Jen Silverman's Brontë-inspired, dark comedy, The Moors, at 7:30p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, in the University Theatre. The production runs through Feb. 20 and all performances are free and open to the public, but tickets are required and can be reserved online.

Set on the same, bleak, foggy moors beloved by various Victorian novelists, this contemporary takeoff examines the lives of two sisters and their dog while setting out to disrupt the way that women are seen in today's society, not as they are seen in the Victorian novel.

The play, by American playwright Jen Silverman, opened in New York in 2017 and was praised by critics for its comic spin on the Victorian conventions. Writing for Theatre Mania, critic Pete Hempstead concludes: "The Moors delights with its insightful and subversive edginess, toppling the male-oppressed milieus of the Brontës and taking strong, passionate female characters to new heights."

To be sure, while inspired by Victorian novels, The Moors has a completely contemporary edge. Graduate M.F.A. director Lacy Post says the play is relevant today "because it asks us to examine the relationship between isolation and our human need for connection. After two years of quarantining and experiencing isolation and almost a social atrophy in rejoining society, The Moors feels more relevant than ever." 

M.F.A. actor Leah Smith agrees, adding "it's also a good opportunity to laugh at what is often a stereotypically stuffy genre."

The production will be at the University Theatre (Fine Arts Center, 340 N Garland Ave.), and to maintain updated COVID-19 safety protocols, the performers will not be masked, but masks will be required for all audience members.

Ticket reservations can be made online at uark.universitytickets.com.

Step by Step Instructions:

• Go to uarkartstickets.com
• Click Category "Theatre"
• Click "Get Tickets" on the show on the date you plan to attend.
• Claim your tickets
• Login/Register to check out. 
• A confirmation email will be sent with your tickets (we can scan from your phone) or you may pick them up at Will Call in the Theatre Lobby. 

For more information, visit the Department of Theatre online or email theatre@uark.edu for assistance.