Medea (Written in Rage)

NFA International Arts & Culture in association with The Place, the Institut français du Royaume Uni, and SACD France present
François Testory
in
MEDEA  (Written in Rage)
by Jean René Lemoine. Translated, adapted & directed by Neil Bartlett

The stage is set for a gig - a microphone, a bank of speakers and smoke hanging in the air. A figure in an extraordinary gown emerges from the shadows. This is Medea - returned from history
to tell us her version of events. 

This startling reimagining of the ancient Greek legend of passion and revenge, featuring the mesmerising François Testory, casts Medea as the ultimate outsider, a stranger filled with rage in a foreign land. Her monologue transports us from ancient Greece to modern Europe and back again in a provocative, blood-soaked collage of performance, opera and sexual confession. The production also features the live music of Phil Von.

Costumes: Mr Pearl
Music: Phil Von
Lighting: Chahine Yavroyan

FOR THE CURIOUS

Stay after the show on THU 5 OCT for a Q&A with the artists.

FRI 6 OCT 6.30pm-7.30pm REIMAGINING MEDEA
Join us before the performance for this informal talk by acclaimed director and playwright, Neil Bartlett discussing the role of gender in performance and the challenges of queering tragedy for contemporary audiences.
£5 or FREE with a ticket to the performance that night (must be purchased in the same transaction).

Contains adult content, strong language and possible nudity.

Age recommendation 16+

About the artists 

The performer, dancer, and vocalist, François Testory fuses his extraordinary physicality, and androgynous and unique stage presence with a seven-octave vocal range to bring to life the murderous Medea in this evocative lament, featuring live music by acclaimed composer and music producer, Phil Von.  François has performed with some of Europe’s most innovative companies, including Lindsay Kemp, DV8, Rambert Dance Company, Punch Drunk, and Gecko.  Neil Bartlett is one of the UK’s most celebrated directors and authors. Formerly Artistic Director the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, his most recent work includes Stella (LIFT, Brighton Festival, Holland Festival 2016) and the Britten Canticles (Aldeburgh, Brighton, Royal Opera house, 2015). 

MEDEA is presented as part of And What? Queer. Arts. Festival. 2017. Commissioned by The Place. In association with NFA International Arts & Culture. Supported using public funding by Arts Council England and The Institut Français du Royaume Uni, SACD France, South East Dance, Theatre of Europe, Marlborough Theatre, And What? Queer Arts Festival and FOLKE.

This event is part of Autumn 2017