Central Standard Theatre gets an Invasion this week

Invasion 2018, the annual theater fest that features actors and shows from such countries as the U.K., Australia and Ireland, kicks off this week, with performances beginning Thursday, February 1, at Central Standard Theatre (3614 Main, cstkc.com). 

Instead of a variety of shows scheduled together over the course of a week or so — kind of like a mini Fringe Festival — this year’s Invasion features one artist at a time, over the course of the year. This week it’s the U.K.’s Pip Utton, who performs four (award-winning or –nominated) pieces. Utton will be followed by Owen O’Neill, March 22-25; Stephen Cunningham, August 9-12; and Rebecca Vaughan, November 15-18.

A former gemologist who didn’t become an actor until middle age (you can hear Utton talk about his work and career on KCUR 89.3’s Up To Date, with Steve Kraske here), this prolific late bloomer is at CST February 1-4 in four self-authored one-man shows. 

Utton’s performances in KC include:

Playing Maggie (7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 1) — Utton portrays Margaret Thatcher, the controversial and conservative prime minister of the U.K. from 1975 to 1990, and the first female to serve in that role. His script actually goes off script when he stops and takes any and all questions from members of the audience and ad libs the remainder of the show.

Bacon (7:30 p.m. Friday, February 2) — It’s about neither the foodstuff nor the Sir Francis Bacon from the time of Elizabeth I but rather is an exploration of the openly gay contemporary artist Francis Bacon (1909-1992), who was known as much for his audacious art as for his leisure-time activities of gambling, drinking and carousing. 

Churchill (2 p.m. Saturday, February 3, and 2 p.m. Sunday, February 4) — He was one of the last of a breed — the patrician politician — and led a small country in its David-and-Goliath fight against the Third Reich. Many clever and witty quotes have been attributed to this towering and complicated historical figure (portrayed most recently by the Oscar-nominated Gary Oldman), and no doubt some will surface here, along with stories about his life.

Adolf (7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 3) — In contrast to Churchill, Utton takes on the personality of that prime minister’s archrival and one of the U.K.’s greatest threats. As far-right extremists become increasingly active across Europe (and here), this Utton play, which might be difficult or too controversial for some, may actually be timely. “The powerful play,” CST’s website says, “pushes the audience into looking within themselves.” Plus, Utton claims a surprise twist at the end that you won’t see coming.

Invasion 2018

February 1-4 at Central Standard Theatre, 3614 Main, tickets available in advance or at the door, cstkc.com