Gilgamesh at the White Bear Theatre
London theatre news: Friday 6 October 2017
London Fringe - Opening
A new queer play, Gilgamesh, told in verse by Piers Beckley and directed by Ray Shell, gets its World Premiere at the White Bear Theatre from 10 to 21 October 2017.
Image: Red Meeple
Gilgamesh is a new queer play told in verse by Piers Beckley and directed by Ray Shell.
The show presents the story of Gilgamesh and his best friend and lover Enkidu.
How the two men fought the demon Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven.
How they lived, loved, and died.
It is about the most important of questions: What does it mean to live forever?
Gilgamesh gets its World Premiere at the White Bear Theatre in Kennington from Tuesday 10 October to Saturday 21 October.
The Epic of Gilgamesh is the world's oldest known story.
Written down on clay tablets more than 4,000 years ago, it predates both the Mahabharata and Odyssey, and is the oldest known work of fiction with a story that is still relevant today.
Synopsis
The king has killed all of the enemies of the city-state of Uruk.
Having accomplished everything he ever wanted, he spends his time fighting in the streets of the city, and taking the virginity of each new bride before her wedding night.
But the Gods, entreated by the citizens of Uruk, have plans for him.
Before he can escape his own nature, he will fight the demon Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven; he will learn to love a man and be loved in return; and he will search the world until he discovers the secrets known only by the immortal who lives beyond the waters of death.
This is the story of he who looked upon the deep, surpassing all other kings.
Gilgamesh cast photos by McVirn Etienne
From top left: Luke Trebilcock as Gilgamesh, Jaye Ella-Ruth as Siduri, The Countess Alex Zapak as Shamhat the Sacred Harlot, Nicola Blackman as Humbaba, Jazmine Wilkinson as Shamash, Birte Widmann as Ishtar
Director Ray Shell (The Bodyguard, Starlight Express, Miss Saigon) and writer/producer Piers Beckley (Persona, The Just So Stories) previously worked together on acclaimed productions of A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre.
Nicola Blackman's work includes Destry Rides Again at the Donmar Warehouse (for which she was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress), The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre, and Love on the Plastic at the Half Moon Theatre where she received a Time Out nomination for Best Actress.
This World Premiere of Gilgamesh is produced by Red Meeple.
Cast
Luke Trebilcock (as Gilgamesh)
Nicola Blackman
Jaye Ella-Ruth
Sarah Lott
The Countess Alex Zapak
Margaret Tully
Birte Widmann
Jazmine Wilkinson
Toby Wynn-Davie
Creatives
Director: Ray Shell
Set designer: Ethan Cheek
Costume designer: Sophia Pardon
Lighting: Jules Deering
Fight designer: Kevin McCurdy
Design consultant: Libby Watson
Assistant Director: Helen Elliott
Producer: Piers Beckley
Production company: Red Meeple
Venue
White Bear Theatre
138 Kennington Park Road
London SE11 4DJ
Dates
10 to 21 October 2017
Tickets
Standard: £15
Concessions: £12
Age suitability: 15+
Links
White Bear Theatre
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