birth of pleasure
(rosemary branch theatre, london, 1997)
'There is almost an epic quality to this version of a story believed to be the root of Beauty and the Beast and many other tales. Wonderful Beast has kept complete faith with the material. It pays handsomely.'
— LYN GARDNER, THE GUARDIAN
The story of Cupid and Psyche is from The Golden Ass by Lucius Apuleius written in 2nd century A.D. Precursor to Beauty and The Beast, it is full of the familiar situations and characters that we meet in Snow White, Blue Beard, Cinderella and countless others. They are all there: Psyche's wicked, scheming older sisters; Venus, the jealous older woman; Cupid, the 'beast' lover; Psyche who cannot resist the forbidden, ants who help her succeed in seemingly impossible tasks, magical objects that offer advice, Psyche's descent into the underworld and, finally, her elevation from mortal to God coupled with marriage to Cupid and a baby called Pleasure!
AUDIENCE COMMENTS:
'What magnificent storytelling – riveting. And I'm just about to embark on Brecht with my pupils.' -- DRAMA TEACHER
'It made me feel like a child again.' -- CARYL CHURCHILL
'Enchanting, magical.' — JULIET STEVENSON
cast |
creatives |
|
Sarah Coomes
Tim Funnell Laura Paton Paula Stephens Daniel Tomlinson musicBen Harlan
Acya Ozanlar |
Writer: Jehane Markham
Director: Penny Cherns Producer: Alys Kihl Designer: Will Hargreaves Movement director: Liana Nyquist Music: Ben Harlan Stage manager: Hannah Seaton |
funders
The John Lewis Partnership
The Morris Charitable Trust
Haberdashers Company
Islington Arts and Heritage
Private donations
The Morris Charitable Trust
Haberdashers Company
Islington Arts and Heritage
Private donations
