Will Holder & Stuart Bailey "FRANNY AND ZOOEY"

De Appel presents FRANNY AND ZOOEY (after J.D. Salinger): a play, an installation, a library, a film programme by Will Stuart. Karen Roise Kielland is FRANNY, Kenneth Homstad is ZOOEY, Annemiek Lelijveld is BESSIE. Wardrobe by JOFF. 5 evening performances: Tue 24 / Wed 25 / Fri 27 / Sat 28 / Sun 29 August, all 8pm. English spoken. Rehearsals, sets, library and film programme open to the public from Tue 17 August 11am - 6pm. The project FRANNY AND ZOOEY is foremost an adaptation/translation of J.D. Salinger's (1961) book. Originally written in two discrete but related parts, the De Appel project is based on the second Zooey episode. It follows three characters - sister and brother Franny and Zooey, and their mother Bessie apartment one morning. Franny is going through a spiritual breakdown; the story explores issues of mysticism, religion, family, celebrity, education, and intellectualism. The narrator of the book, Franny and Zooey's older brother Buddy, opens the story: ...what I am about to offer isn't really a short story at all but a sort of prose home movie, and those who have seen the footage have strongly advised me against any elaborate distribution plans for it. ... it isn't a mystical story, or a religiously mystifying story, at all. I say it's a compound, or multiple love story, pure and complicated. FRANNY AND ZOOEY is directed and produced by Will Stuart (Will Holder and Stuart Bailey, both graphic designers), previously responsible for the related projects Love/Hate List (De Appel, 2002) and TOURETTE’S II (W139, 2003). They state: 'A key part of the motivation behind this proposal and our other recent collaborations is a shared desire to move beyond the scale and limitations of (making) printed matter. We fully consider projects such as these as being closely related to our past and present graphic work, though now projected on a larger scale; in three rather than two dimensions; involving people and performance rather than text and image; and with immediate, tangible rather than delayed, invisible public response.' Founded on a shared love for Salinger's work, the idea to turn the book into theatre was specifically produced for the De Appel building that could 'play the part' of the family residence, the narrow multi-storey building and different-sized rooms fitting the role of what was originally an upper-Manhattan apartment. 'From this point', says Will Stuart, 'the form of the play seemed to design itself - involving the audience following the characters around the building as scenes move from room to room.' FRANNY AND ZOOEY will take place from August 17 - 29, which will involve a first week of open dress rehearsals, during which the public may be present to witness the final stages of the making of the play. During this time, Will Stuart will also present a programme of 'research' films, with related themes, and a library of related literature. During the second week there will be five evening performances of the adaptation, attendable by reservation only, with a maximum of 50 people each night. During the times outside rehearsals and performances, the interior sets will be open as installation. FRANNY AND ZOOEY is generously supported by the Amsterdam Fund for the Arts (AFK). Film Programme Each film will be screened at 2pm and 8pm. At this time sets will be open to the public. Tuesday 17 August The Great Gatsby (1974) Jack Clayton Wednesday 18 August La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc (1928) Carl Theodor Dreyer Friday 20 August Tape (2001) Richard Linklater Saturday 21 August Abigail’s Party (1977) Mike Leigh Sunday 22 August Fanny and Alexander (1983) Ingmar Bergman