ASC Patron (and occasional performer) Ann Lowe.
During the Actors’ Renaissance Season the actors direct themselves in 5 plays over 10 weeks. With so many lines to learn, they keep their prompter just off stage and say “prithee” when they go up on a line. Earlier this year, I got to play a scene with the incomparable Alizon Glenzer in The Two Noble Kinsmen!
She played the jailer’s daughter, in love with Palomar, who is in jail. I was sitting on the stage. She went down on her knees in front of me and implored me how she could make Palomar love her.
Beat. [Should I say something?!]
Beat.
“Prithee!” I said.
The audience roared and applauded. Meanwhile, Alison hugged me, whispered that I was “her favorite”, and told me my line was “set him free”. When the laughter quieted she asked me again how she could make Palomar love her, and I delivered my line.
And that is how I had my debut in a speaking part at the Blackfriars’ Playhouse!
– Ann Lowe
