MEDIA CONTACT: Polly Burks
561-297-2595, pburks@fau.edu

Estelle Kohler of the Royal Shakespeare Company Premiers One-Woman Show at FAU

BOCA RATON, FL (December 20, 2005) - Florida Atlantic University presents the world premier of "It All Started with the Snowdrop Club," a one-person show featuring Estelle Kohler, former leading lady with London's Royal Shakespeare Company. In this one-night-only show written by Kohler, the actress intersperses the speeches of Shakespeare's leading ladies with the story of her life. The show will take place on Saturday, February 4 at 8 p.m. in the University Theatre on FAU's Boca Raton campus, 777 Glades Road. Individual tickets may be purchased for $20 with group discounts available. FAU faculty, staff and alumni may purchase a ticket for $10 with ID, and FAU students may receive tickets for free with ID. Other students and children under 12 may purchase tickets for $10.

Kohler's long career as a leading lady with the Royal Shakespeare Company began with her famous portrayal of Juliet to Sir Ian Holm's Romeo. Since then, she has played almost all of Shakespeare's heroines, winning an array of awards and nominations in Britain and America, including several nominations for the Laurence Olivier Awards. Kohler also received the lifetime honor of being named an associate artist with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Others with this distinction include Dame Peggy Ashcroft and Patrick Stewart.

In this autobiographical recital, Kohler will begin with her upbringing in South Africa, including the formation of the Snowdrop Club, an acting club that she founded with her childhood friends. She then moves on to her first appearance with the Royal Shakespeare Company at age 19 as Ophelia in "Hamlet," opposite David Warner. Kohler moved from Shakespeare's younger roles into the older roles, including Cleopatra. The show also includes pieces from Kohler's many roles on London's West End stages. Among these are the lead in Noel Coward's "Shadow Play," Persia in "900 Oneonta" and Mrs. Birling in Stephen Daldry's production of "An Inspector Calls."

Kohler also wrote the book Gay Letters and in 1998 was honored with the Joint Eminent Scholar Chair in Theatre at FAU, along with Bill Homewood. She also has many television and film credits.

For tickets, call the School of the Arts Box Office at 561-297-2977 or email artstickets@fau.edu. For further information, call FAU's Theatre Department at 561-297-3810.

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