Oscar- and Golden Globe-winning actor visits the Csokonai National Theatre with his company. Tim Robbins and The Actors’ Gang will be guest performers for two nights in the Csokonai Theatre with their production of Topsy Turvy (Ramazuri), announced Dr. István Puskás, Deputy Mayor of Debrecen responsible for culture, and Dr. Szabolcs Mátyássy, Director of the Csokonai National Theatre Debrecen, at a press conference.
Tim Robbins founded The Actors’ Gang in Los Angeles forty-three years ago, in 1981. Their permanent home is in the Culver City area of the US city, but they have also performed in many parts of the world. Tim Robbins is their artistic director and the writer, director and composer of many of their performances.
Tim Robbins has appeared in numerous Hollywood films, including The Shawshank Redemption (1994) with Morgan Freeman and The Mysterious River (2003), in which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and a Golden Globe Award for his performance. He also won Golden Globes for his roles in two other films, The Player (1993) and Short Cuts (1994). He also received an Academy Award nomination for directing in Dead Man Walking.
Tim Robbins wrote the play Topsy Turvy, inspired by the pandemic. It is the story of a choir whose members are prevented from meeting because of restrictions imposed to control the pandemic. The choir is split, with some wanting to continue rehearsing in person (in secret) and others wanting to remain rule-followers. In addition to the ‘real’ thread of the play, there is also a metaphorical one with the appearance of Greek gods. The language of the play is humorous but has a deep message. The play lasts 1 hour 45 minutes without intermission and is subtitled in Hungarian. Although Tim Robbins himself does not appear in the play, there will be an opportunity for a post-performance discussion on stage, during which the audience can ask him questions.
In a video message sent to the press conference, Oscar-winning actor Tim Robbins said that he and the company are looking forward to meeting in Debrecen.
– „We are looking forward to sharing the story with you, to being in the same room with you, to fellowship with you, to create an opportunity for dialogue, to discuss all that is important in these difficult times,” said Tim Robbins.
The production will be presented in Hungary only in Debrecen, on 18 and 19 September 2024 at the Csokonai Teátrum in English with Hungarian subtitles. After the performance on both days, Tim Robbins will invite the audience to a discussion where they can ask him questions about the play, art and culture. Tickets for Topsy Turvy are now available online and at the Csokonai National Theatre Debrecen box office.
