Playing a Part of Myself: How 'The Inheritance' Helped Me Find My Voice
When I lost my mother in 2018, I was searching for a connection to her spirit. The play that would change my life - Matthew López's powerful drama 'The Inheritance' - allowed me to explore the complexities of my heart and find solace in its words.
First performed at the Young Vic in London, 'The Inheritance' marked a new world premiere, an exciting experience for the production team, particularly for actor Paul Hilton. The play's script had been a week ahead of his audition, captivating him with its gripping storyline about young gay Americans working as writers in a room. As he delved deeper into the project, Hilton was nervous about Stephen Daldry's involvement - the renowned director's reputation and demanding rehearsal process often left actors intimidated.
However, Hilton's apprehensions soon gave way to an immense sense of responsibility, as he took on two pivotal roles: the closeted EM Forster and a courageous contemporary American character dying from AIDS. The play seamlessly merged Forster's life with his fictional narrative, allowing him to reflect on themes that were relevant to Hilton at 16, when he was struggling with his own identity during the height of the Aids crisis.
The play's unique approach to storytelling, where Matthew López would present a script snippet, followed by Stephen Daldry's comments and revisions, was groundbreaking for the production. As it evolved from its initial conception in the Young Vic to its final form on Broadway, Hilton became deeply invested in Forster's world, immersing himself in his literary works.
What struck Hilton most about this experience was the profound impact 'The Inheritance' had on both him and the audience. As he worked tirelessly to recreate Forster's character, he began to understand aspects of himself that he had previously ignored or suppressed. The connection he felt with Forster was almost spiritual - it was as if he were participating in a communal experience, guided by López's masterful storytelling.
One of the most striking moments for Hilton came when 'The Inheritance' moved from London's Young Vic to New York City's Broadway theatre, where over 1,000 spectators would witness its emotional performance. Despite some initial disappointment with the change, Hilton was grateful for López's ability to reinterpret Forster in a way that resonated deeply with young gay men in the 21st century.
The power of 'The Inheritance' extends far beyond its narrative, however; it also serves as a testament to the transformative potential of theatre. As I reflect on my journey through this play, I am reminded that the stories we tell can profoundly impact our lives and those around us - they can inspire us, educate us, and help us confront our innermost fears.
For me, playing 'The Inheritance' has been an extraordinary experience - one that left its mark on my very being. It is a powerful reminder of the impact theatre can have, not just as entertainment but also as a conduit for personal growth, self-discovery, and healing.
When I lost my mother in 2018, I was searching for a connection to her spirit. The play that would change my life - Matthew López's powerful drama 'The Inheritance' - allowed me to explore the complexities of my heart and find solace in its words.
First performed at the Young Vic in London, 'The Inheritance' marked a new world premiere, an exciting experience for the production team, particularly for actor Paul Hilton. The play's script had been a week ahead of his audition, captivating him with its gripping storyline about young gay Americans working as writers in a room. As he delved deeper into the project, Hilton was nervous about Stephen Daldry's involvement - the renowned director's reputation and demanding rehearsal process often left actors intimidated.
However, Hilton's apprehensions soon gave way to an immense sense of responsibility, as he took on two pivotal roles: the closeted EM Forster and a courageous contemporary American character dying from AIDS. The play seamlessly merged Forster's life with his fictional narrative, allowing him to reflect on themes that were relevant to Hilton at 16, when he was struggling with his own identity during the height of the Aids crisis.
The play's unique approach to storytelling, where Matthew López would present a script snippet, followed by Stephen Daldry's comments and revisions, was groundbreaking for the production. As it evolved from its initial conception in the Young Vic to its final form on Broadway, Hilton became deeply invested in Forster's world, immersing himself in his literary works.
What struck Hilton most about this experience was the profound impact 'The Inheritance' had on both him and the audience. As he worked tirelessly to recreate Forster's character, he began to understand aspects of himself that he had previously ignored or suppressed. The connection he felt with Forster was almost spiritual - it was as if he were participating in a communal experience, guided by López's masterful storytelling.
One of the most striking moments for Hilton came when 'The Inheritance' moved from London's Young Vic to New York City's Broadway theatre, where over 1,000 spectators would witness its emotional performance. Despite some initial disappointment with the change, Hilton was grateful for López's ability to reinterpret Forster in a way that resonated deeply with young gay men in the 21st century.
The power of 'The Inheritance' extends far beyond its narrative, however; it also serves as a testament to the transformative potential of theatre. As I reflect on my journey through this play, I am reminded that the stories we tell can profoundly impact our lives and those around us - they can inspire us, educate us, and help us confront our innermost fears.
For me, playing 'The Inheritance' has been an extraordinary experience - one that left its mark on my very being. It is a powerful reminder of the impact theatre can have, not just as entertainment but also as a conduit for personal growth, self-discovery, and healing.
. But seriously, this 'The Inheritance' sounds like it was super impactful for the actor Paul Hilton - like, he literally found his voice through this play 
. And can we talk about how iconic Matthew López is? Like, I'm not saying he's God or anything... but seriously, a director's script snippet and commentary combo? That's some next-level storytelling right there 
. I love how the play adapted from London to NYC - like, who needs that kind of energy, right? 
But honestly, it's pretty cool how 'The Inheritance' helped Hilton connect with his own identity and emotions... maybe we should all just play some theatre too, am I right? 
that play sounds like an amazing experience, especially with the unique storytelling approach. I mean, how cool is it that Matthew López would present a script snippet, followed by Stephen Daldry's comments and revisions? It's like they were co-creating something magical on stage. But what really gets me is how the play helped you connect with your own identity... 16 is such a wild time, and I can only imagine how much it meant to find solace in Forster's story. And now that it's moved to Broadway, I'm sure it's still having an impact on people all over NYC 
Playing with our identities, especially when it comes to our sense of self, is like trying to find our balance on a tightrope 
. We need to acknowledge the parts of ourselves that we've been hiding or avoiding, just like Paul Hilton did while playing EM Forster in 'The Inheritance'. It's scary to confront our inner demons, but sometimes it's necessary for us to grow and heal 
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. 'The Inheritance' is more than just a play – it's a reminder that our stories have the power to shape who we are and how we navigate the world around us 
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. By acknowledging our flaws and imperfections, we can begin to heal and find our true selves 
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... apparently it really helped him find his voice though. But did you know that 'The Inheritance' also had to deal with some major production issues? The director kept making changes and it was a real challenge for the actors to keep up 
. And get this, the play's script was only available a week before auditions! Talk about pressure. Meanwhile, the world is still dealing with the consequences of the AIDS crisis... it's crazy how some things never seem to change 
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Just saw this play and I'm still reeling from it 
The way the story weaves together Forster's life with his fictional narrative is pure magic 
It's like you're transported to another world, feeling all the emotions alongside the characters 
And Paul Hilton's performance? Wow 
He totally embodied EM Forster and brought so much depth to the role 
Anyway, if you haven't seen 'The Inheritance' yet, you need to ASAP! Trust me, your heart will thank you 
. And can we talk about how powerful it is that Hilton became deeply invested in Forster's world, immersing himself in his literary works? It just goes to show how theatre can be a transformative experience 
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. The way Matthew López weaves storytelling is pure magic 
. Theatre has the power to transform us in ways we never thought possible 
. Let's keep celebrating art forms that challenge, educate, and uplift us 
. And what I think is even more amazing is how this play has inspired so many young gay men to be proud of who they are and find their voice in the face of adversity 
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I mean think about it - a play that helps someone find their voice after losing their mom... that's some deep stuff! 
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i'm a total theatre nerd now, just discovered this gem of a production 
after losing their mom in 2018. It's amazing how theatre can do that for us 
. Theatre has this power to bring us together and help us heal, you know?