Elizabeth McGovern returns to Broadway!
Elizabeth McGovern of Downton Abbey fame is set to lead the decades-long awaited revival of J.B Priestly's time-travelling drama set during Britain's interwar years. Last seen on Broadway in 1938, it is considered to be one of Priestly's best plays, alongside his other works such as An Inspector Calls, I Have Been Here Before and Dangerous Corner. Following the turbulent changes faced a moneyed Yorkshire family, this new Roundabout Theatre production examines destiny, fortune and hope for the future.
McGovern makes her first appearance on Broadway since 1992's Hamlet, also from Roundabout, in which she starred as Ophelia. However she is best-known for her role as ingenue Cora Crawley in Downton Abbey.
What is it about?
McGovern stars as Mrs. Conway, who is celebrating her daughter's 21st birthday in 1919 and is optimistic about the future. The Great War is finally over, her family have escaped relatively unharmed and their wealth is on the rise. What could possibly happen in the next 19 years to overturn it all? We then fast-forward to 1938 and Europe is once again on the brink of war. The Great Depression has taken its own toll on Britain and the Conway's fortunes are greatly diminished. What happened during the intervening years? The action bounces back and forward during this period, unfolding through major events that have a profound effect on the Conways.