Next up at the Northfield Guild Theater is a controversial historical play that is usually remembered more for being banned, rather than celebrated, for exposing the theme of Lesbianism to a wider audience.
Not only was the production of "The Children's Hour" by Lillian Hellman banned, but authorities in Boston declared that the play did not meet the standards of the Watch and Ward Society and that it could not be performed there the following month as scheduled.
That was in December 1935.
Produced and directed by Herman Shumlin, "The Children's Hour" opened November 20, 1934, at the Maxine Elliott Theatre in New York City. The financial and critical success of the New York production encouraged Shumlin to present The Children's Hour in other cities.
The American play is a drama set in an all-girls boarding school run by two women, Karen Wright, who is played by Taylor Heitman, and Martha Dobie, who is played by Ann Etter. An angry student, Mary Tilford, who is played by Hailey Kramer, runs away from the school and, to avoid being sent back, tells her grandmother that the two headmistresses are having a lesbian affair. The accusation proceeds to destroy the women's careers, relationships, and lives.
Pauline Jennings, performing arts manager at the Guild, said Julianna Skluzacek will direct the production. Skluzacek is the founding artistic director of the now shuttered Merlin Players.
"Julianna is a beloved regional director," said Jennings. "I am delighted that she agreed to direct a show at the Guild. The cast is lucky to get to work with her. Her wealth of experience and knowledge instructs and inspires those she directs."
For tickets and showtimes, visit northfieldartsguild.org .
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