Greg Doran, former Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company and renowned Shakespearean, 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, captivating 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. Venus & Adonis 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.
Performance followed by a discussion with the creative team, moderated by ESRA - European Shakespeare Research Association. (Following the 5:00 PM performance)
