AU Playhouse to Present "The Corn is Green"

The AU Playhouse of The South Carolina School of the Arts presents "The Corn is Green," at the Belk Theatre of the Rainey Fine Arts Center September 25-28.

The story by Emlyn Williams is a now classic play about an inspirational, quirky teacher, Miss Moffat, and a student who she grooms for a scholarship to Oxford University. The tough, take no prisoners, spinster Miss Moffat literally transforms the raw, unschooled Evans into an intellectually thirsty scholar from a just hungry coal boy in a poor Welsh mining village.  This is a rich story of two changed lives.  Both mentor and student wrestle with the life-changing challenges that emerge.  They both realize new callings.

Emlyn Williams based the play on his own personal experience, a relationship with a transformative school teacher that he encountered in his rural Welsh home village. Williams portrayed Evans himself in the production's London premiere in 1938. He also directed it. The play had long runs in London's West End and on Broadway. The 1945 Bette Davis film version is a gem.  Readers may also remember the 1978 film version starring Kathryn Hepburn and filmed on location in Wales.

The Anderson production is directed by David Larson, Theatre Professor and Dean of the South Carolina School of the Arts.  Scenery was designed and developed by AU Shop Foreman, Dalton Cole.  Lighting is designed by Associate Professor, Cara Wood.  Elizabeth Nelson is the costume designer and Lara St. Peter is the dialect coach.

Times: September 25 – 28 at 7:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. matinee on Saturday, September 28.  For tickets please call 231-2080, or come by the School of the Arts Office during office hours (phone - 231-2125).