Robert L. McKinney

Barter Theatre, the state theatre of Virginia, was founded by actor Robert Porterfield, who like many actors, found himself out of work during the Depression. Having grown up in rural southwest Virginia, Porterfield had the idea of bringing New York stage actors to the area to perform. Local townspeople, short of cash during the Depression, would be able to pay their admission fee with produce, hence the name Barter Theatre. This book tells of Porterfield's lifelong fascination with acting, beginning in his boyhood. Despite his father's disapproval of acting as a career, Porterfield dropped out of college and headed to New York City to break into acting. When the Depression hit, Porterfield took up the idea of a local repertory theatre. Today, Barter Theatre is world-renowned. The title of the book comes from Porterfield's welcome given at the beginning of each play: "If you like us, talk about us. If you don't, keep your mouth shut." This book is well written and would be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in theatre.… (altro)