American Buffalo
by David Mamet
Damian Lewis
John Goodman
Tom Sturridge
WYNDHAM’S THEATRE 16 April until 27 June 2015
Considered a classic of the American canon and recognised as one of Mamet’s masterpieces, American Buffalo premiered at the Goodman Theatre, Chicago and opened on Broadway on February 16, 1977. The play was also adapted into a 1996 film starring Dustin Hoffman (Teach), Dennis Franz (Don) and Sean Nelson (Bobby).
Winning the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for best play, Mamet’s explosive drama examines the fickle nature of honour among thieves. As three small-time crooks, Walter “Teach” Cole (Damian Lewis), Don Dubrow (John Goodman) and Bobby (Tom Sturridge), plan one big-time heist, a tragedy of errors spins this razor-sharp and darkly funny play into a blistering account of divided loyalties, insatiable greed and a coveted Buffalo nickel.
It takes place at about 11 AM. Don, who owns the junk shop where the entire play takes place, has sold a buffalo nickel to a customer for ninety dollars but now suspects it is worth considerably more. He and his young gofer, Bob (sometimes called Bobby), plan to steal the coin back. Bob has been keeping watch on the customer’s house and reports that he has left for the weekend with a suitcase. Teach, a poker buddy of Don’s, arrives and learns of the scheme. He persuades Don that Bob is too inexperienced and untrustworthy for the burglary, and proposes himself as Bob’s replacement. Teach suggests they steal the whole coin collection and more. Don insists on their poker buddy Fletcher going with Teach. Teach continues to argue that he can do without Fletcher.
DAMIAN LEWIS won unanimous international acclaim for his role in Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning drama Homeland. Damian has also recently starred as Henry VIII in the BBC adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s acclaimed novels Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies. JOHN GOODMAN is a Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner and internationally renowned American actor. John first came to prominence for his Golden Globe winning role on Roseanne in which he played Dan Conner and subsequently has become well-known for his frequent collaborations on screen with the Coen Brothers in films such as Barton Fink, The Big Lebowski and O Brother Where Art Thou? In 2013 TOM STURRIDGE won the Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World awards and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the Broadway play Orphans in which he starred alongside Alec Baldwin and Ben Foster.
DIRECTED BY DANIEL EVANS
