Faustus: That Damned Woman

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Highlights

  • See this intelligent adaptation of the classic play by Marlowe.

The original Faustus story

“The Tragic History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus”, or as popularly called “Doctor Faustus”, is an Elizabethan tragedy and one of the most well-known plays by Christopher Marlowe. The story of the tragic hero written in the late 1500s has been explored and revisited numerous times over the centuries. The protagonist of the story “Faustus” displays a set of almost conflicting traits. He is sane and can think and debate wisely, but his ambition still blinds him, and this lets him lose his rationality and waste his acquired powers on matters of little concern. He is radically flawed because he sells his soul to the devil in exchange for mystical powers. This concept stands for all those people who give away their dignity, self-control and career for ephemeral pleasures. However, in Faustus: That Damned Woman, Chris Bush takes a whole new approach where the protagonist has an entirely different message for everybody.

The minds behind this fresh new play

Chris Bush is an artistic director and an award-winning British playwright. She has achieved several commendations for her work, which includes the much-desired Brit Writers’ Award, which she won in 2011. Bush is known for her thoroughly entertaining satirical works that are in-depth, such as TONY! The Blair Musical and Tony of Arabia. She was the Pearson Playwright in Residence for Sheffield Theatres in 2013. The Perfect Pitch Award and the Kevin Spacey Foundation Artist of Choice Award for Musical Theatre are also included in her list of awards.

Working alongside her is Caroline Byrne – a West End veteran who is famous for her productions, such as Spring Awakening and Portia Coughlan, among others. She is directing Faustus: That Damned Woman and it is another exciting play. Since the show will be at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre for a limited period, ensure booking your tickets at the earliest lest you miss this original iteration of the classic Faustus tale.

How does Faustus: That Damned Woman differ from the original?

That Damned Woman is a rough adaptation of Marlowe’s original play – Faustus makes a deal with the devil and is granted Mephistopheles as a wingman. Faustus is given magical powers, and he can travel through time. However, while the old Faustus showed off and squandered his abilities without a thought, Johanna Faustus is focussed on using her powers for good. She plans to cure the London plague and every other major concern that ails humanity by travelling through time. She hopes to create an immortal world so that people don’t obligate themselves to either God or the Devil.

The idea to switch genders work very well and creates points of humour in Faustus: That Damned Woman. The role of Faustus is played by McNee, who is energetic and confident, becoming an apt actor for this role. This take on the Faustus myth is certainly not one to miss. It has an important message for the generations of now and those to come.

Additional

  • Performance Information

    Written by
    Chris Bush

    Directed by
    Caroline Byrne

  • Performance Times

    Monday – Saturday: 7:30 PM
    Wednesday: 1:30 PM
    Saturday: 2:30 PM

  • Getting your tickets

    You will receive your tickets via email confirmation shortly after booking. Please display them on your mobile device along with photo ID at the theatre.

  • Theatre Information

    The theatre has a seating capacity of 591. It is wheelchair accessible, and has an in-house bar and cloakroom.

  • Cancellation Policy

    Tickets cannot be cancelled, amended or refunded.