Maps of Desire
Wonder Tales from France
Southwark Playhouse
March 12 to April 6, 2001
 Writer: Claude Harz, Director: Alys Kihl, Producer: Tara Hull, Designer: Ruth Paton, Lighting: Colin Grenfell, Movement Director: Susan Nash
Cast
Jane Barber, Pancho Cappeletti, Ann Firbank, Patrick Kennedy, Sasha Mitchell, Montserrat Roig de Puig
Music
Katja Mervola and Nathan Thomson
We are all familiar with Charles Perrault, author of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Blue Beard and many others stories. But who is aware of Marie Catherine D`Aulnoy, Marie Jeanne L`Heritier, and the other women who were pioneering writers of fairy tales? In the Paris if Louis X1V there lived a group of women who created a sensational vogue for the literary fairy tale. Gathering in their salons, they would tell each other stories, act them out for their own amusement and later adapt them for publication. Frequently in trouble with the king these remarkable characters packed their wonder tales with magical transformations, sexual ambiguities and ironic comment in their pursuit of a utopian world.
Reviews
In a feisty presentation of four suitably weird stories three of which are credited to women, Claude Harz introduces us to a grippingly gargoyle-esque Rumplestiltskin character who dupes a dumb princess into choosing between looks and brains, and a counterfeit Marquise (exquisitely understated by Patrick Kennedy) embroiled in a salacious case of cross dressing. Plenty of penetrating social observation and only one fairy. Director Alys Kihl`s curious material sparkles at times, at others the collective act of storytelling genuinely takes flight. It`s a brave, bold venture and one well worth catching.
Sarah Adams - Time Out
Fairy tales, strictly for grown ups, became all the rage at the court of Louis X1V. Literary ladies grown weary of ponderous four volume novels, formed storytelling salons, sharing their fascination for fantasy with Charles Perrault The result was subversive entertainment, offering a mischievous dig at French society. This is an evening of theatre to relish, a sheer delight from start to finish.
John Thaxter - What's On (also in Stage Direction: Recommended)
Under light-handed direction by Alys Kihl, this play, like the accompanying music by Katja Mervola and Nathan Thomson is strong, strange and moves effortlessly. The principal ingredient is a sparkling wit rooted in exaggeration and in a spirited cast. Barbara Lewis - The Stage
Go and see Maps of Desire. It`s very different, highly original and exquisite. A magical evening. It would be great to see this transfer to the West End.
*Sarah Monaghan - Theatre World Internet Magazine
 a selection from Wonderful Beast's book of comments:
"An evening of great pleasure so large and impact with such modest means. Serious pantomime without the banality. Congratualtions to all not forgetting the very original and effective music."
Jim and Angeles Kerr
"I drew the pics in the book (Wonder Tales edited by Marina Warner) and enjoyed seeing your pictures of the stories. Especially Pancho made me laugh. Thank you." Sophie Herxheimer, illustrator.
"Sensational! Absolute treat! Ellie Yannas Wonderful - if beastly at all the right moments. My son loved this too (could it be scaled down for kids matinees?)" Kathryn Hare
"Highly original. Brilliant performances and great fun. Loved it".
Trisha Edwards Bell
"Very inspirational"
Frances Ronaldson
"Truly wonderful, magical, inspiring, riveting theatre so creative, so well and imaginatively performed."
Katherine Schlesinger Letter to Southwark Playhouse
"We did enjoy Maps of Desire. Thank you so much for encouraging us to see it. I hadn`t realised these women storytellers existed, but the performance brought them to life in such an elegant production. Wasn`t the music good! The playing and the staging so inventive. Do pass our thanks and congrats to all concerned."
Suzanne C. J. Mostly Movies Ltd.
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