Brave the late-winter chill, climb “the only stairs in New York fit for a cardinal,” and settle into the wood-paneled Members’ Room for a reading of Lord Byron’s alpine tragedy, Manfred, presented by New Relic Theatre in collaboration with the New York Society Library.
The Library will host New Relic Theatre (NRT) for this special presentation in their historic reading room, where rare 19th Century copies of Byron’s poem will also be on display. This collaborative event, which is open to the public, offers the Library’s community a unique and dynamic new way to experience this work, and highlights NRT’s focus on uncovering hidden literary gems and presenting them in accessible settings to foster greater community engagement with live theatre.
“We love finding these overlooked, lesser-known, or forgotten works and giving them new life through these performances,” says NRT’s Founder and Artistic Director, Eliza Palter. “And we’re so thrilled that the New York Society Library gave us the opportunity to bring this piece to life, connecting audiences to themes that feel especially alive during a season (and cultural era) when isolation and introspection are woven into the backdrop of our daily lives.”
The Closet Drama Series
This reading is the latest installment in New Relic Theatre’s Closet Drama Series, launched in July 2024 with a performance of Margaret Cavendish’s proto-feminist satire The Convent of Pleasure. This performance series focuses on literary and theatrical pieces originally intended to be read, rather than fully staged. NRT’s interactive readings are intended to present them in a fresh and imaginative new light: “This series has been an exciting way to reimagine the boundaries of our performances and keep our community engaged,” Palter explains. “By taking these pieces off of the page and into a room, we’re creating a unique experience that connects audiences with the intimacy and complexity of these works.”
A Historic Partnership With the New York Society Library
The New York Society Library, located at 53 East 79th Street, has been a cornerstone of the city’s literary culture for 270 years. Established in 1754, it is the oldest cultural institution in New York City, and served as the city’s primary library prior to the establishment of the public library system. The Library is committed to continuing that literary tradition, and hosts numerous programs designed to foster community and engage readers of all ages.
“Working with a company like New Relic, who seek out and revitalize buried gems from books of the past, is very much in line with our goals,” notes Sayer Holliday, the Library’s Director of Programming & Communications. “It’s an opportunity to honor the vintage, intimate tone of our space while also bringing some of the city’s most exciting actors and creatives closer to our audience.”
Exploring Byron’s Dramatic Legacy
A text always changes when moving from the page to the stage, but presenting a closet drama comes with particular challenges and opportunities: “Performing a closet drama like Manfred for an audience transforms the experience,” Holliday explains. “Byron’s thematic focus on isolation feels both timeless and modern, and the intimate setting of our reading room amplifies the emotional weight of the piece. Plus, don’t we all want some intense melodramatics to cure the blahs of a New York City winter?”
And performing the piece in a working library opens up additional avenues for audiences to engage with the text. “One of the highlights of this event is an 1839 edition of Byron’s works, including Manfred, which will be on display from our Special Collections,” Holliday adds. “For attendees, this is an opportunity not only to experience the play but also to dive deeper into Byron’s world. The books and resources are right here for anyone who wants to explore further.”
Making Literary History Accessible
For Palter, the collaboration underscores New Relic’s commitment to making these works accessible to all. “We want these stories to feel immediate, human, and relevant—particularly for those who might be encountering Byron for the first time,” she says. “Our goal is to create performances that ignite curiosity and invite audiences to see these texts as vibrant and alive—as alive now as in 1816. It’s an extraordinary opportunity for connection—with our past and present alike—to hear people from hundreds of years ago grappling in their own voice with so many of the same emotions we grapple with today.” Holliday further shares, “Whether you’re here for theater, literature, the Romantic era, or all three, we’re excited to welcome you into this unique space to experience something truly special.”
Manfred is directed by Eliza Palter, produced by Chris Phillips, and stage managed by Ellery Cordes, with costume design by Anna Rudegair. It will feature Samori Etienne, Kelsey Malanowski, Nicole Albanese, Freddy Vaccaro, and Elijah Levi-Dabby.