Seamus Dever – Tug of War

By starrymag | May 26, 2017

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

Q) What made you want to be a part of “The Tug of War?” 

 

A) I’ve done a few radio plays with LA Theatre Works before and I always have a good time. Plus, David Rambo (the playwright) is a good friend of mine so I knew it would be fun.

 

Q) How was your character originally described to you? 

 

A) There was no description needed. It’s Robert McNamara: one of the main faces of the Kennedy Administration. I was a big fan of Errol Morris’ documentary Fog of War so I knew all about this unique person.

 

Q) What did you find challenging about your role? 

 

A) His voice is very specific and I wanted to honor that while at the same time not cross over into an imitation or a caricature. Finding a balance between his authentic manner of expression and clarity in this very complicated political story is my main goal.

 

Q) Where did you connect with the character? 

 

A) I’ve always admired his search for logic and fully thinking through a situation. He was very controversial in his dealing with others, especially during the Vietnam War. But there’s no doubt that he brought a lot of brain power to the position of Secretary of Defense.

 

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them on “Tug of War?” 

 

A) Almost all of them in fact. The first movie I ever did was with John Vickery. I’ve done theatre with Hugo Armstrong, David Selby and Jules Willcox. I did another LA Theatre Works radio play with Matthew Arkin and Aaron Lyons a few months back. And I’ve done television work on shows with James Morrison, Josh Stamberg and Rich Sommer. It’s a very talented cast and I’m very lucky to be a part of it.

 

Q) What advice did playwright/screenwriter David Rambo provide that you have taken to heart for your performance? 

 

A) He based this play on the actual war room recordings that were made available about the Cuban Missile Crisis. David listened to all of them and told me that Bob McNamara “never stops talking.” It sounds simple, but a piece of information like that gives a great view into

 

Q) What has it been like working with director Sharon Loewenberg? 

 

A) Susan Loewenberg has been a great leader for Los Angeles Theatre Works and was instrumental in the development of this play as an original work for them. Our specific director for this play, Brian Kite, has been wonderful at balancing this complicated political scenario and the vast amount of male bodies on this stage. It’s a large cast and most scenes have ten people in them.

 

Q) The play’s topic is so relevant. In this current political climate, what can actors and all artists of entertainment be doing to push boundaries and share in the support of resistance? 

 

A) You know, It’s amazing to hear the words of these very intelligent people back in the 1960’s solving a complex and nuanced problem. I don’t know if anything in this play will help with the resistance to tyranny or authoritarian power, but it’s important to remember that there is no such thing as victory when nuclear weapons are involved. Might help to remember this when we deal with North Korea and still with Russia. And it might help if artists can remind society of the lessons of history like this and how we survived difficult times before in our history.

 

Q) What do you hope viewers and listeners take away from “The Tug of War?” 

 

A) I think the great lesson of history is that it repeats itself. A good take away from this lesson is that cooler heads prevailed here even in the face of extreme conflict. And through this team of rivals, they found a way.

 

 

Performances of “The Tug of War” continue through Sunday, May 28 at the James Bridges Theatre on the campus of UCLA.  For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.latw.org. For Seamus Dever fans who can’t make it  this weekend or don’t live in LA, check back at www.latw.org to find the broadcast and podcast release schedules.