ABSENCE AND PRESENCE HEADS FROM THE FRINGE TO NEW YORK

The Carol Tambor Theatrical Foundation is delighted to announce that  Absence and Presence, the recipient of the Carol Tambor Edinburgh  to New York Award, will receive its NY premiere at off Broadway’s Performance Space 122 (P.S. 122) from April 27 to May 7, 2006.

Absence and Presence is realized and performed by Andrew Dawson. Andrew’s father died in 1985 and, tragically, his body lay undiscovered for ten days. The trauma inspired Dawson to create this unusual autobiographical work which deals, in non-vocal dialogue, with his sense of loss and guilt, his  affection and  conflict, and the unique emotions of a son to his father.

“Andrew Dawson’s  Absence and Presence is a masterful monologue-installation. With just a TV, a wire figure of his father, some letters, his father’s specs and  pipe, and astonishing lighting and aural atmosphere, Dawson builds a deeply moving picture of his dad that is an inquiry and yet a monument to uncomprehending love.” Ismene Brown - The Telegraph

Dawson studied dance and theater in New York, Paris and London establishing an international reputation as co-founder of the Mime Theatre Project in 1984.   He is the director of Pandora 88 which won three awards: Fringe First, Herald Angel, and the Total Theatre Award.

Absence and Presence is a deeply intimate and touching physical theater piece in which Andrew Dawson explores, with wry humor, the death of his father.  Andrew says "one of the best parts of performing this piece is that many in the audience wait to tell me THEIR stories".

Grid Iron Theatre, the previously announced winner, was due to bring  their show, The Devil's Larder to New York. A delicious, lusty  visualization of the sins related to food, The Devils Larder is  adapted from a novella by Jim Crace.

The Carol Tambor Theatrical Foundation hoped that "The Devil's  Larder" could be transferred to the labyrinthine spaces of  P.S.122.  Unfortunately, after coming to New York for a site visit, the company and Performance Space 122 determined that the production would not  work there, and alternative spaces in New York were logistically 
difficult for that particular production. The three parties, P.S. 122,  The Carol Tambor Theatrical Foundation and Grid Iron, are discussing having Grid Iron  create a show specifically made for and in New York.

"We are delighted to award Andrew Dawson's Absence and Presence, and bring it to  New York this spring. The play continues to haunt me, and is a unique emotional experience said Ms. Tambor. 

The Carol Tambor Edinburgh to New York Award is the only award that  actually provides the next step for productions from the Edinburgh  Fringe.  For its second year, the Foundation partnered with P.S. 122,  a premiere Off Broadway venue in NYC.  Through this partnership, the  Carol Tambor Award-winning production is given an Off Broadway run at  the prestigious downtown NYC venue, which is internationally known  for presenting cutting-edge theater.

Past winners of the award include Russell Barr and his play "Sisters,  Such Devoted Sisters. Since receiving the award he has gone on to  perform the work in New York, again, around the UK and in Canada.   Additionally, the National Theatre has provided backing for his second play, which opened in London in December 2005.  Russell credits much  of his continued success to receiving the award.  Additionally, Mark  Jenkins' "Rosebud" was picked up by producers at the Foundation's  showcase last year, for further performances in both Canada and the UK.

Ms. Tambor is proud of the result of the award, and hopes to give it  in perpetuity.  Too many plays she has seen at the Edinburgh Fringe  were worthy of future life, only to disappear.  She hopes that the productions she  brings over will enhance the experience of NY theatergoers.

Performance Space 122 is a multi-disciplinary arts center dedicated  to finding, developing and presenting new artistic creations from a  diversity of cultures and points of view. P.S. 122 provides emerging  and mid-career artists an environment that encourages exploration,  innovation and risk-taking.

The Carol Tambor Theatrical Foundation was established in 2004 to  bring excellent  productions to a New York audience.   The mission  is to support artists in their desire to be seen and produced. The  Foundation provides support with no current or future financial or commercial  involvement in their success.

For more information on the Carol Tambor Theatrical Foundation,  please contact Karen Greco on 212-560-9868.