Spoleto Reveals its Festival-Spanning Dock Street Theatre Play on the Same Day as Public Ticket Sales Begin

A play written and directed by Mark O’Rowe for Landmark Productions, The Approach first premiered at Project Arts Centre in Dublin in 2018. In 2021, it was livestreamed in partnership with Project Arts Centre and St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn, NY, and hailed by the New York Times: “Even through our computer screens, a production on a real stage with acting this fine is a balm for the soul.” At Spoleto, the work stars Derbhle Crotty, Aisling O’Sullivan, and Catherine Walker.

Three conversations frame this “60-minute jewel of a play” (The Guardian), drawing the viewers into the inner lives of Anna (O’Sullivan), Cora (Walker), and Denise (Crotty). As the play unfolds, the conversations reveal profound truths about relationships and our need to make sense of the world. It’s an exploration of betrayal and an appeal to listen to one another before it’s too late.

The Approach opens May 26 (a preview performance) and runs through May 31, June 2, June 4 – 5, and June 7 – 12. O’Rowe leads the creative team: Sinead McKenna (set and lighting design); Joan O’Clery (costume design); and Philip Stewart (sound design).

On May 30, Emmy Award winning CBS News correspondent Martha Teichner will speak with O’Rowe and the cast of The Approach as part of the Festival’s Conversations With series. These free discussions aim to illuminate behind-the-scenes elements and the artists’ creative processes for Festival productions.

Spoleto’s previous 2022 season announcement can be found here.

How to buy tickets: Tickets are available to the public beginning Tuesday, February 22, at 10:00am ET, online at spoletousa.org and by phone at 843.579.3100. On-site box office operations begin in May. Locations, dates, and times will be available in April.

Go Spoleto! Ticket and hotel packages are available in partnership with several Charleston hotels including The Charleston Place, Hotel Bella Grace, The Ryder Hotel, Francis Marion Hotel, Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina, and Zero George. Guests can book a room with one of Spoleto’s hotel partners and receive a $50 gift certificate to use before June 13,2021. For more information, visit spoletousa.org/explore-charleston/gospoleto.

Festival gift certificates can be purchased in any amount and used towards performance tickets, merchandise such as Festival posters, or charitable contributions to Spoleto Festival USA. To purchase gift certificates, order online at spoletousa.org or by phone at 843.579.3100.