Twain Talks

Prologue

This is the reenactment of a lecture Mark Twain may have given late in his life.

The arbitrary year of this lecture is 1905; before television, before movies, before radio. The author was seventy years old, and had but 5 years left to live. The place; a lecture hall, Anytown, USA. As a hush comes over the hall, an elderly white haired gentleman approaches the podium about to engage in the most popular form of entertainment of the era, public speaking.

During this period one man emerged as a legend and as the most sought after entertainer in America. The man was Samuel Langhorne Clemens, known to millions as Mark Twain and acknowledged by his contemporaries to be the greatest writer of his time.

This is a time in which Twain took great delight in his celebrity, often donning one of his famous white suits and taking long strolls on Fifth Avenue merely to savor the pleasure of being recognized.

Enter: Edward Miller

In 1978, while living in Pensacola, Florida, Edward Miller created Mark Twain—Portrait of a Humorist. The current iteration of that original project is now, Mark Twain: A Humorist Who is Really Funny. Mr. Miller has now been performing/portraying Mark Twain for over forty years. In addition to his ‘Twain,’ his portfolio includes, among others, Sir Thomas More (A Man for All Seasons); Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird); and his other one man play, Clarence Darrow (Clarence Darrow). Mr. Miller has also worked in film with leading roles in indie films Audit and The Prophet Motive. He has cameo appearances in feature films Lifted and Jaws II (don’t blink or you’ll miss him).

He has worked on projects for Irish Television and BBC-Scotland. Mr. Miller holds multiple degrees in theatre including a Masters Degree in Directing from The University of Denver. In addition to his theatre degrees, he holds a Juris Doctorate from Cumberland School of Law. Miller’s performance, taken directly from Twain’s works, is overflowing with whimsy, satire and wit. He knows more than 3 hours of Twain’s material which means he can vary his presentation to suit his mood and that of his audience. This, along with his superb timing, gives the piece a truly improvisational ambience. Combining these elements with Miller’s small town Southern background and you have the recipe for a memorable, engaging almost uncanny portrayal of Mark Twain.

"I make it a point never to smoke more than one cigar at a time. I have no other restrictions.”

Prologue

Enter: Edward Miller

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