The Department of Theatre and Dance in the College of Charleston School of the Arts will present “The Women of Lockerbie” by playwright Deborah Brevoort. 270 lives are lost in a terrorist plane attack, and a group of indomitable women want to turn the tragic result into an act of healing.
A mother from New Jersey roams the hills of Lockerbie, Scotland, looking for her son’s remains, which were lost in the crash of Pan Am 103. She meets the women of Lockerbie, who are fighting the U.S. government to obtain the clothing of the victims found in the plane’s wreckage. The women, determined to convert an act of hatred into an act of love, want to wash the clothes of the dead and return them to the victims’ families.
“The Women of Lockerbie” is loosely inspired by a true story, although the characters and situations in the play are purely fictional. Although many may not recall the actual tragedy involving Pan Am 103 in December 1988, there are many parallels between this act of violence and the more recent ones.
Director and faculty member Brent Laing first read Brevoort’s play a year ago and was immediately moved by the story. He explains, “Nearly everyone around the department who’s read the play has had a similar reaction. The play touches on grief, loss, closure, hatred and the power of love. It’s a story of healing and survival.“
The production will run Wednesday, January 16 through Sunday, January 20 with a second run from Tuesday, January 22 through Sunday, January 27. Curtain times will be 7:30 p.m., except the Sunday shows at 3 p.m. only. Performances will take place at The Chapel Theatre 172 Calhoun St. Tickets may be purchased at the box office, by email oleksiakm@cofc.edu or by telephone (843) 953-5604. Admission is $15 for general admission and $10 for College of Charleston students, faculty and staff and senior citizens 60 and older. Half-season subscriptions are available. The “talkback” discussions with the cast and crew will take place opening night following the performance.