THE MAN WHO LAUGHS

Adapted by the ensemble from "The Man Who Laughs" by Victor Hugo

With inspiration from the film directed by Paul Leni

Directed by Peter Josephson

A collaboration with Glass Dove Productions

A spine tingling, one-act romantic horror that speaks volumes—without saying a word.

Just in time for Halloween, the Players’ Ring presents a haunting new original work: The Man Who Laughs: get ready to be transported back to the silent film era, when actors told stories without uttering a single word. Set during the shadowy reign of Queen Anne, this gothic horror-romance follows Gwynplaine, the most famous clown in England. His acrobatic talents and broad, omnipresent grin delight peasants and noblemen alike. But this clown can never remove his makeup. His crowd pleasing grin is a curse, carved into his face when he was a child at the behest of a cruel, vindictive king. When a beautiful dutchess attends his show, a secret from Gwynpalin's past is revealed, a secret that threatens to destroy everything he has built, and everyone he holds dear.