The Penelopiad

Archive Listings for The Penelopiad

T01454678046 (RSC07) World PremiereProducer Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Producer National Arts Centre Canada. Director Josette Bushell-Mingo. Design Rosa Maggiore. Lighting Bonnie Beecher. Choreographer Veronica Tennant. Music Warren Wills. Performer Penny Downie (Penelope). Performer Mojisola Adebayo. Performer Frances Ashman. Performer Derbhle Crotty. Performer Pauline Hutton. Performer Sarah Malin. Performer Lisa Karen Cox. Performer Philippa Domville. Performer Kate Hennig. Performer Corinne Koslo. Performer Pamela Matthews. Performer Kelly McIntosh. Performer Jenny Young.
5 Sep 07 to 7 Sep 07	Northern Stage (previously known as Newcastle Haymarket Playhouse), Newcastle upon Tyne :: V568 listing details L035517259
27 Jul 07 to 18 Aug 07	Swan Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon :: V136 listing details L0922640492

Details

Play :: As portrayed in Homer's Odyssey, Penelope - wife of Odysseus and cousin of the beautiful Helen of Troy - has become a symbol of wifely duty and devotion, enduring twenty years of waiting when her husband goes off to fight in the Trojan War. As she fends off the attentions of a hundred greedy suitors, travelling minstrels regale her with news of Odysseus' epic adventures around the Mediterranean - slaying monsters and grappling with amorous goddesses. When Odysseus finally comes home, he kills her suitors and then, in an act that served as little more than a footnote in Homer's original story, inexplicably hangs Penelope's twelve beloved maids. Now, Penelope and her chorus of wronged maids get the chance to tell their side of the story, through song, dance and storytelling in a new stage version by Margaret Atwood of her own wry, witty and wise novel.

Author

Margaret Atwood (based on the book The Penelopaid by Margeret Atwood)