Venus & Adonis
Shakespeare’s great narrative poem brought to life by world-class puppeteers
–
Tickets from £15*
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Greg Doran
Former Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company and renowned Shakespearean, Sir Greg Doran, revives his celebrated production of Venus & Adonis, Shakespeare’s great narrative poem.
Animated by a team of world-class puppeteers, 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.
Prior to limited further UK and European dates to be announced, this is an exclusive and rare opportunity to witness, close at hand at Oxford Playhouse, this powerful erotically-charged story of unrequited love.
Lead image by Lucy Barriball 2017 © RSC
Image gallery
Witty, erotic and ingeniousGuardian
Shakespeare's racy verse turned into a terrific puppet showDaily Telegraph
Whatsonstage
Venus & Adonis Synopsis
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.
Production credits
- Directed by Greg Doran
- Puppets designed and created by Lyndie Wright
Original production credits
- Director of Puppetry Steve Tiplady
- Designer Robert Jones
- Lighting Vince Herbert
- Music arranged by John Woolf
Originally produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company in collaboration with Little Angel Theatre.
This new production is generously supported by Backstage Trust and by Executive Producer Mark Pigott KBE
