Tuesday, 30 Jun
19:30
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Times
7:30pm
Running Time 1 hour
Venue Main House, York Theatre Royal
Matinee(s)2:00pm Wed
Age 14+
By William Shakespeare
Narrated live by Simon Russell Beale
Directed by Sir Greg Doran
Former Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company and renowned Shakespearean, Greg Doran, revives his celebrated production of Venus and Adonis, Shakespeare’s great narrative poem.
Narrated by Simon Russell Beale and animated by a team of world-class puppeteers with live musical accompaniment, this unique production blends comedy, tragedy and Shakespeare’s incredible poetry to bring the famous story of Venus and her obsession with the handsome Adonis thrillingly to life in a rich, immersive theatrical experience.
Drawing inspiration from the bewitching artistry of Japanese Bunraku puppets and the Jacobean Court Masque, this spellbinding production tells the story using marionettes, rod, shadow and table-top puppets.
As part of a limited UK and European tour, this is an exclusive and rare opportunity to witness, close at hand, this powerful erotically-charged story of unrequited love.
Contains mature themes and imagery, suitable for audiences of 14+ years.
Greg Doran answers questions and shares insights into the evolution of this production of Venus and Adonis from his book My Shakespeare: A Director’s Journey through the First Folio and discusses his latest publication Walking Shadow – Love, Loss and Shakespeare. Both books are published by Bloomsbury and Greg will be available to sign copies following the event.
Originally produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company in collaboration with Little Angel Theatre. Puppets Designed & Created by Lyndie Wright.
This new production is generously supported by Backstage Trust, the Sidney E. Frank Foundation and by Executive Producer Mark Pigott KBE.
(Reviews and images from previous productions).
Lead image by Lucy Barriball 2017 © RSC, images by Lucy Barriball 2017 and Robert Day 2004 © RSC
Director
Greg Doran
Narrator
Simon Russell Beale
Pupper Designer & Creator
Lyndie Wright
Puppeteers
Bartolomeo Bartolino, Edie Edmundson, Rachel Leonard, Lee Maeda and Sarah Wright
Musician
Nick Lee
Stage Manager
Rachael Barber
Director of Puppetry (Original Production)
Steve Tiplady
Designer (Original Production)
Robert Jones
Lighting (Original Production)
Vince Herbert
Music (Original Production)
John Woolf
Synopsis
Venus and Adonis
By William Shakespeare
The poem tells the story of the Goddess of Love, and her passionate fixation with the beautiful, headstrong Adonis. Venus waylays him while out riding one day and pulls him off his horse. He stoutly resists her charms, while his stallion runs off with a frisky mare, leaving his master without a lift home.
Venus is appalled when she hears he intends to go hunting for wild boar, and begs him not to go, but to no avail. The following morning she hears the howling of the dogs, and realises that the hunt has cornered a dangerous animal. Suddenly she sees the boar with frothy mouth and bloody tusks and is terrified for her love. She curses Death.
But then Venus hears a huntsman’s holla and, thinking what is Adonis’ voice, she hurries to meet him, only to discover his lifeless body. Cursing Love for ever more, she mounts her chariot to depart, staying only to pluck a purple flower, that has sprung up where the body of Adonis lay.
