Details

Matthias, a young knight of Bohemia, goes off to the wars, taking with him an enchanted image of his wife Sophia which - his friend Baptisa assures him - will indicate her constancy. If she is challenged in love in his absence, the picture will yellow; if she succumbs, it will blacken. Matthias' subsequent martial success is brought to the attention of the King, and he is invited to Court. There, the Queen falls for the soldier and vows both to seduce him and to test his wife's fidelity... (c.1629). This Sumptuous production transposes the action to the mid-nineteenth century - and the birth of that other ‘magic picture’, the photograph. It marks the 175th anniversary of the famous Oriel window negative, taken by Fox Talbot at Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire, and considered to be the first known photograph.

Cast/Performers

Olivia Grant, Rachel Atkins, Teresa Banham, Stephhan Bednarczyk, Christopher Good, Simon Harrison, Denise Hoey, Russell Layton, Christopher Logan, William Mannering, Roger Ringrose, Duncan Wisbey

Creatives/Company

Author: Philip Massinger
Corporate Sponsor: Frank and Elizabeth Brenan
Producer: Salisbury Playhouse
Director: Philip Wilson
Design: Colin Falconer
Lighting: Oliver Fenwick
Music: Jon Nicholls
Sound: Jon Nicholls