CONSIDERED to be David Mamet’s most controversial play, Oleanna has shocked and enraged audiences since its first performance in 1992, as the confrontation between a college professor and his student lays bare the mechanisms of power, censorship and abuse.

Running from Monday, March 3, until Thursday, March 6 (7.30pm), at Staveley Roundhouse, Mamet’s powerful piece has been on local theatre director and actor Chris Whiteside’s radar for a while.

“Oleanna is a play I’ve been considering directing for some time and I believe to be well suited to the intimate space that Staveley Roundhouse offers,“ explained Chris.

“Although originally set in America over two decades ago, the underlying theme of sexual exploitation and political correctness continues to be as relevant and controversial in 21st Century Britain, as the recent arrests and trials of politicians and celebrities demonstrates.”

Chris says he enjoys directing plays with well drawn characters and a theme that challenges the audience. He adds “I am particularly interested in working with the actors to develop the relationship and power struggle between the characters. For Oleanna I have been fortunate to enlist two excellent local actors in John Oldroyd and Suzie Brain, both regular performers at the Roundhouse.”

Playwright, author, director, and producer, Mamet is widely known and respected.

He is one of a handful of American playwrights whose work has found almost as much success on the screen as it has on the stage. Noted for his spare, gritty work as a playwright, he has won a Pulitzer Prize and received Tony nominations for Glengarry Glen Ross (1984) and Speed-the-Plow (1988). As a screenwriter, he has received Oscar nominations for The Verdict (1982) and Wag the Dog (1997). He books include The Secret Knowledge: On the Dismantling of American Culture (2011), a commentary on cultural and political issues and Three War Stories (2013), a trio of novellas about the physical and psychological effects of war.

For tickets for the Staveley performances telephone 015395-61076 or email staveleyrht@btinternet.com.