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A scene from The Duchess of Malfi -
Photo: Sebastien Pons |
What a bloody royal scandal!
THE DUCHES OF MALFI
King's Head Theatre
A YOUNG, fashionable and recently widowed Duchess, whose private life endlessly titillates the readers of glossy magazines, takes a secret husband, becomes pregnant and is assassinated by a devious brother desperate to protect the dignity of the royal family.
Originally written by John Webster nearly 400 years ago, this updated version produced by Have Your Cake Theatre, which draws close comparisons to the life of the Princess of Wales, has lost none of the bloodlust that created such controversy for its predecessor. It manages to squeeze in three gruesome stabbing murders and a death by strangulation.
The story has been modernised, taking place in Britain the late 20th century. The Duchess, played splendidly by Katharine Gwen Pons, finds love with her personal assistant, Anthony. The couple wed in secret and are soon expecting a child. The Duchess cancels all public appearances to hide her pronounced bump, making more than just the press suspicious. Enter Ferdinand, the devious, greedy and possessive twin brother of the Duchess of Malfi, who is driven to madness by his desire to control his sister and her public image. Ferdinand elevates his own henchman, the unscrupulous and silver-tongued Bosola to the position of the duchess’ butler. From this proximity he is able to gather information and relay it.
Undoubtedly, it is the pressure and removal from reality caused by paparazzi culture that leads to the murderous climax. Parallels can be drawn with the death of Princess Diana, but also with other, more recent cases of excessive scrutiny of public figures.
Our perverse culture of schadenfreude learns no lessons.
When the press turns judge and jury it can have a disastrous effect on a person’s psyche, yet when they start to breakdown, our scrutiny only becomes more intense.
Until September 27
0844 209 0326
0870 033 2733 |
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Your comments:
GREAT review - I will definitely go to see the show. I have heard from other people who have been to see the show that Katharine Gwen Pons is a real find and a name to watch out for.
S. Allen
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