As the curtains close on the fall semester, the USC School of Dramatic Arts will be holding a performance of “Old Times” this Friday, December 6 through Sunday, December 8 at the McClintock Theatre. It is an opportunity for students to sit back and have fun to mark the end of fall classes before finals week.
Set in London in the early 1970s, a city that had just spent its most recent years trying to rebuild after the events of WWII, “Old Times” follows three main characters, a married couple Kate and Deeley and the wife’s former roommate Anna, who are forced to revisit their pasts.
According to the USC MFA acting program, this play shows how long-simmering feelings of fear and jealousy that begin to fuel the trio’s passion end up sparking a seductive battle for power.
The story was written by Harold Pinter and first performed in 1971 by the Royal Shakespeare Company in London. Pinter was a British playwright, screenwriter, director, and actor. Upon his passing in 2008, The Guardian described him as the most influential poetic dramatist of his generation. This flair for the dramatic is not lost in “Old Times.”
Hannah Harding, second year MFA student and actress in the play, shared her excitement being involved in such a distinct work.
“I just really appreciate the opportunity to do a play that is from somewhere that I’m not living,” Harding said. “It opens up the opportunity to learn more about that culture and expands our [abilities within] this art form.”
Not only a great opportunity to perform a classic work, Ali-Moosa Mirza, second year MFA student and actor in the play, said he thinks “Old Times” retains its impact even when performed today.
“Even though it was 1971 when it was produced, and it’s a long time ago, it’s very modern,” Mirza said. “And I think when it came out, it must have been ahead of its time.”
Directed by John DeMita, Language Production Manager for Netflix and part-time SDA lecturer, this production of “Old Times” stars Hannah Harding as Anna, Ali-Moosa Mirza as Deeley and Montserrat Videla Samper as Kate. Harding spoke about the team’s dedication to doing justice to the play when talking about the preparation the actors did prior to performing this weekend.
“Honestly, what I have settled on is just making sure that I am totally secure in my belief of what is happening, whether that be one of the official interpretations that you can read up online or a combination of your very own.” Harding said. “Because what’s really cool about ‘Old Times’ is that every production is going to be different. Every cast that is given this opportunity to play is going to do something different. And so I think it is so beautiful.”
This fall semester, the School of Dramatic Arts has held multiple shows spanning different themes. The 2024/25 season started with “She Loves Me,” a romantic musical comedy set in the 1930s based on a book by Joe Masteroff. Another show from this season was “Machinal,” a play by Sophie Treadwell. It carries a more serious tone and is based on a true crime story. The differences between these two productions are representative of the variety of stories told by the performers from the School of Dramatic Arts.
“Old Times” will be the closing show of the fall semester. Keep an eye on the School of Dramatic Arts website to see what they have in store for the spring semester.
“It’s the theater. You come with an open mind and an open heart, and just enjoy the 65 minutes. Yeah, because it’s short, but it’s alive.” Harding said.
There are five performances from Friday to Sunday. The ticket price is 20 dollars per person. You can get more information about the tickets here.