Impeccable performance…I was simply bowled over.  You’ve got to see it for yourself…well worth your time and attention!” – Santa Monica Daily Press

“Outstanding…gripping the audience with its ever-mounting aura of quiet danger.  Gutsy and multi-layered performances. It should not be missed.” – ReviewPlays.com

“I was fortunate enough to see a production of an adaptation of John Fowles’ novel, The Collector at the Ruskin Theater Group in Santa Monica…amazing.”  Michael O’Keefe

Ruskin Group Theatre presents

The Collector by John Fowles (adapted for stage by Mark Healy)

OPENING January 29, 2010 with reception to follow

Running Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm

Santa Monica, CA – Frederick has been obsessed with Miranda but unable to make contact with her because of his lack of social skills and her middle class status.  A lonely luckless young man, he works as a clerk at City Hall and collects attractive butterflies in his spare time.  Fredrick’s luck is about to change with this beautiful art student, while Miranda’s luck may be running out.  As the two match wits, this psychological and cunning thriller grabs hold… and delivers you to the darker side of passion.

JOHN FOWLES (Writer) has been celebrated as one of the most seductive storytellers of the late twentieth century.  He burst from obscurity with the spectacular debut of his first novel, The Collector.  John finished his first draft in a month, but spent more than a year making revisions before showing it to his agent. When the paperback rights were sold in the spring of that year it was close to the highest price that had hitherto been paid for a first novel.   The Collector was also optioned and became a film in 1965.  Over the next two decades, the books rolled out: The Magus, The French Lieutenant’s Woman, The Aristos, The Ebony Tower, Daniel Martin, Mantissa, A Maggot, and a host of critically acclaimed dramatic translations and penetrating essays.  The appearance of each of Fowles’ romantic and fiercely intellectual works became a major literary event.

EDWARD EDWARDS (Director) has worked on Broadway in Mike Nichols production of STREAMERS and played the title role in THE NERD.  In Los Angeles his theatre credits include ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST at The Ahmanson, PORGY AND BESS at LA Opera and THE HASTY HEART at Pacific Resident Theatre, for which he won the Los Angeles Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor.  Edward has worked on nine feature films including the David Fincher project THE SOCIAL NETWORK, which opens 2010.

MARK HEALY (Playwright) adapted THE COLLECTOR for stage.  His writing credits include a translation of RACINE’S BRITANNICUS, and John Fowles THE FRENCH LIEUTENANT’S WOMAN, Jane Austen’s PERSUASIONS, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY and DRACULA, as well as LORD OF THE UNDEAD.

THE COLLECTOR opens Friday, January 29^th and runs through March 6, 2010.  Performances continue January 8^th on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm at Ruskin Group Theatre, 3000 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405.  Tickets are $15 ($10 for students, seniors, and guild members) and can be purchased in advance by calling (310) 397-3244.  For more information please visit www.ruskingrouptheatre.com.  Free parking at the theater.

MIKE MYERS (Producer) has produced more than 50 projects since 2002, including the critically acclaimed and long running ITALIAN AMERICAN RECONCILIATION.  He is currently directing the World Premiere of DIGGING UP DAD at RGT and was praised for his skillful guidance at the helm of Chazz Palminteri’s FAITHFUL last season.  Mike is a co-creator of the Ruskin’s critically acclaimed CAFÉ PLAYS, a monthly offering of one-acts that are done in 10 ½ hours from conception to staging.

Closing performance scheduled March 6, 2010

HOW MUCH:

All Seats are $15

Description: Frederick has been obsessed with Miranda but unable to make contact with her because of his lack of social skills, and her middle class status.  A lonely luckless young man, he works as a clerk at City Hall and collects attractive butterflies in his spare time.  Fredrick’s luck is about to change with the beautiful art student, while Miranda’s luck may be running out.  As the two match wits, this psychological and cunning thriller grabs hold… and delivers you to the darker side of passion.

Press Contact: Judith Borne (310) 305-7888 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Directed by Edward Edwards

Produced by
John Ruskin
Mikey Myers
Edward Edwards

Starring
Dane Zinter
Jaimi Paige

Stage Managers
Sara Fendelman
Gareth Koorzenh

When: Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm
Price: $15
Info: 310.397.3244

Ever since he first saw her Frederick has been obsessed with Miranda. But Frederick's a repressed, introverted butterfly collector, and Miranda is a beautiful, privileged art student. The opportunity to invite her to his new country house goes horrifyingly wrong, and in the tense, claustrophobic reality of the cellar prison, their relationship leads to a devastating climax