Richard Greenberg’s Three Days Of Rain explores how the private worlds of one generation are reinterpreted by the next.
In Three Days Of Rain, Walker Janeway (James McAvoy) and his sister Nan (Lyndsey Marshal) reunite for the reading of their father’s will in the Manhatten loft where he lived. A wealthy architect, Ned’s legacy is the iconic, internationally renowned 1960s New York house designed with his late business partner Theo. Joined by Theo’s son Pip (Nigel Harman), the three childhood friends meet to settle the estate and determine the future of the house. The discovery of a brief entry, ‘three days of rain’ in Ned’s diary is the only clue to the true stories of the previous generation.
A tender and surprising love story lies at the heart of a creative conflict which could never have been imagined by these children. The actors play both generations in this humorous and touching play about family and the enigma of parenthood.
McAvoy is best known for his burgeoning body of big screen work, including the films Atonement, The Last King Of Scotland, Starter For Ten, Wanted and Becoming Jane. His stage work includes Breathing Corpses at the Royal Court, Out In The Open at the Hampstead and Private On Parade at the Donmar Warehouse alongside Harman. McAvoy also appeared in the popular TV series Shameless, as did his now wife, actress Anne Marie-Duff (Saint Joan).
Harman has often been seen on stage of late, appearing in Guys And Dolls at the Piccadilly, The Caretaker at the Tricycle and The Common Pursuit at the Menier Chocolate Factory. He achieved fame in the UK with his portrayal of Dennis Rickman in the soap EastEnders.
Three Days Of Rain is directed by Jamie Lloyd, whose credits include The Caretaker at the Tricycle, The Lover & The Collection at the Comedy and Piaf at the Donmar Warehouse and Vaudeville.
Playwright Greenberg’s work includes Take Me Out, Night And Her Stars, The House In Town, The Maderati, Eastern Standard and The Dazzle. Three Days Of Rain was first produced in the US in 1997 and had its UK premiere at the Donmar Warehouse two years later, with a cast of Colin Firth, David Morrissey and Elizabeth McGovern.
For more about Three Days Of Rain at the Apollo theatre, read the First Night Feature.