The previously announced American premiere of Gina Moxley's satire The Patient Gloria begins at St. Ann’s Warehouse November 16, presented in association with Moxley and Pan Pan. Set for a run at the Brooklyn theatre through December 4, the show is based on the true story of a female patient used for psychotherapy training videos in 1965—whose condition for participation in the educational materials was then violated when the tapes were released on television and in cinemas.
Created when the #MeToo movement was at its zenith, The Patient Gloria investigates the long history of sexism in psychotherapy through a humorous and punk music-infused reflection on the 1965 training films Three Approaches to Psychotherapy. Also known as The Gloria Films, the videos feature three influential psychotherapists Carl Rogers, Frederick (Fritz) Perls, and Albert Ellis who all sat down with single mother Gloria Szymanski for films designed for training purposes and psychology classes. Against Szymanski's wishes, they were ultimately released on television and in cinemas.
Moxley plays all three psychotherapists opposite Liv O'Donoghue as Gloria with Jane Deasy as The Punk Rocker. O'Donoghue also doubles as the show's choreographer, with John McIlduff directing. The creative team is completed by set designer Andrew Clancy, costume designer Sarah Bacon, sound designer Adam Welsh, lighting designer Sinéad Wallace, and AV designer Conan McIvor. Emma Coen serves as producer.
St. Ann’s Artistic Director Susan Feldman said, “When I saw The Patient Gloria in Edinburgh, I don’t think I had laughed that hard in years. There is glee and outrage in how Gina deftly mocks and diverts the ‘male gaze’ to other parts of the male body. It’s transgressive, fun, and hilarious. But the current war on women’s bodies and sexuality is dead serious. The show arrives at a time when our rights are being brazenly set back, with dire consequences. I hope people will come see The Patient Gloria and enjoy Moxley’s sharp satirical protest in solidarity.”
The Patient Gloria originally made its world premiere at Dublin, Ireland's The Abbey Theatre as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival. The work then transferred to Scotland for the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it won a sought-after Scotsman Fringe First award.
For more information, visit StAnnsWarehouse.org.
