The Film Society

The Film Society poster

Euan Morton starred in the Keen Company's revival of Jon Robin Baitz's first full-length play, The Film Society. Set in South Africa during the apartheid era in 1970, the play focuses on the struggle of a young English teacher trying to navigate politics and personal ambition at an all-boys boarding school.

About the Production

The Keen Company's revival of The Film Society marked the first New York revival of Jon Robin Baitz's play since its 1988 premiere at Second Stage Theatre, where it starred Nathan Lane.

The play explores themes of political awareness, personal responsibility, and the cost of remaining neutral during times of social upheaval. The story centers on Jonathon Balton, an idealistic young teacher at a South African boarding school who runs an extracurricular film society for his students while trying to avoid the political turmoil of apartheid-era South Africa.

When the school becomes embroiled in controversy after a Black minister invited to speak at a school event is arrested, Jonathon must choose between supporting his activist colleague or siding with the conservative headmaster and his own ambitious mother, who can secure his future at the school. The drama unfolds against the backdrop of 1970s South Africa, where politics and personal relationships collide in unexpected ways.

The Playwright

Jon Robin Baitz drew on his own experiences growing up in South Africa for this play. Born in Los Angeles, Baitz was raised in Brazil and South Africa before returning to California. The Film Society was his first two-act play and established him as a promising new voice in American theater when it premiered in 1988. The Keen Company revival marked the first time any of Baitz's plays had been revived in New York.

Euan as Jonathon Balton


Euan Morton took on the role of Jonathon Balton, a part originally played by Nathan Lane in the 1988 production. The character is a complex one - an idealistic but conflict-averse teacher who runs a film society at the school and finds himself caught between opposing political forces.

Critics praised Morton's performance, with one review noting his "profound performance as the evasive, weak seeming but fundamentally ambitious Jonathon" with "prize winning" quality evident "in every nuance of his voice, expression, and movement." Another critic described Morton as providing "a sympathetic portrait of a cheerful, increasingly anxious instructor who tries not to become mired in the school's conflicts."

In an interview about taking on the role, Morton acknowledged the significance of following in Nathan Lane's footsteps: "I'm thrilled to follow in Nathan's footsteps and play a role that did such wonderful things for him." He also spoke about connecting to the character's vulnerability and loneliness, noting, "As actors, we are vulnerable people because there's so much competition. I could instantly relate to this man who is trying to make connections and not succeeding very well."

Production Photos

Broadway.com: Cheers! Euan Morton & the Cast of Jon Robin Baitz’s The Film Society Raise a Glass on Opening Night

Reviews

Let's Talk Off Broadway

"Euan Morton turns in a profound performance as the evasive, weak seeming but fundamentally ambitious Jonathon: it's all there in every nuance of his voice, expression, and movement. It's a prize winning performance — you can't see better acting."

Source: letstalkoffbroadway.com

TheaterMania

"There is one standout: Euan Morton, who plays Jonathon Balton (the play's central character), appears to be the only actor who falls completely into his role and plays him with heartbreaking believability."

Source: theatermania.com

Broadway.com

"Euan Morton provides a sympathetic portrait of a cheerful, increasingly anxious instructor who tries not to become mired in the school's conflicts."

Source: broadway.com

Time Out New York

"Euan Morton stars as a cryptogay teacher in 1970 South Africa, torn between conservative forces at his decaying all-boys academy and progressive factions represented by his two best friends."

Source: timeout.com