Difference between revisions of "Volpone (2007)"

Revision as of 11:06, 4 June 2007

Poster by Mark Davies

by Ben Jonson

Directed by Dave Hollander

Assistant director: Mark Davies

Performances: Tue 5th – Sat 9th June 2007, Bell Theatre

Introduction

     V O L P O N E, childless, rich, feigns sick, despairs,
     O ffers his state to hopes of several heirs,
     L ies languishing: his parasite receives
     P resents of all, assures, deludes; then weaves
     O ther cross plots, which ope themselves, are told.
     N ew tricks for safety are sought; they thrive: when bold,
     E ach tempts the other again, and all are sold.

Wealthy and childless, Volpone devises a scam to amass an even greater fortune with the aid of his 'parasite', Mosca. As he pretends to lie dying, a succession of avaricious would-be heirs (Voltore, Corbaccio and Corvino) is led in to his bed-chamber, each eager to inherit the whole lot.

Volpone gleefully takes to Venice's squares and canals to mock their victims, disguised as a mountebank (quack doctor), and falls in lust with the beautiful Celia, jealous Corvino's wife.

Meanwhile, blundering English tourist, Sir Politic-Would-Be is busy showing off his 'knowledge' of Venetian culture to his hapless protégé, as his overbearing wife takes fashion tips from the local courtesans. Needless to say, the grand Lady Would-Be is keen to impart some of her new-found education on ailing Volpone as she ministers to him.

Mosca entices each of the putative heirs to give up his most prized possession in hope of becoming Volpone's sole heir, and begins to bargain with Volpone for a better share of the wealth.

As each character's greed gets the better of him, only one question remains: who will escape unscathed as the plot unravels before their eyes?

Cast

• VOLPONE, a Magnifico - Michael Wilson
• MOSCA, his Parasite - Alex Kapila
• VOLTORE, an Advocate - Helen Judge
• CORBACCIO, an old Gentleman - Matthew Lyne
• CORVINO, a Merchant - Nick Mansley
• CELIA, Corvino's Wife - Stephanie Egbe
• BONARIO, son to Corbaccio - Damien Gilchrist
• SIR POLITIC WOULD-BE, an English Knight - Richard Watkins
• LADY WOULD-BE, Sir Politic's Wife - Carole Coyne
• PEREGRINE, a Traveller - Charlotte Vaight
• MERCATORE, Merchant - Ben Amunwa
• AVOCATORI 1, a judge - Richard Watkins
• AVOCATORI 2, a judge - Angela Barnes
• NOTARIO, the Clerk of the Court - Ben Amunwa

Crew

• Stage Management - Rachael Lovegrove and Lee Ridgeway
• Lighting Design - Christian Murphy
• Lighting/Sound Operator - Induja Bandara
• Set - Dave Hollander, Michael Wilson, Matthew Lyne, Charlotte Vaight, Kate Williams, Hazel Hindle
• Costumes - Kristy Davis

Reviews

Gallery

• Volp1 01.jpg

  Carol Coyne as Lady Would-Be with Michael Wilson as Volpone. (Photo: Mark Davies)

• Volp1 02.jpg

  Damien Gilchrist as Bonario with Matthew Lyne as Corbaccio. (Photo: Mark Davies)

• Volp1 03.jpg

  Alex Kapila as Mosca with Michael Wilson as Volpone. (Photo: Mark Davies)

• Volp1 04.jpg

  Richard Watkins as Sir Politic with Charlotte Vaight as Peregrine. (Photo: Mark Davies)

• Volp1 05.jpg

  Nick Mansley as Corvino with Stephanie Egbe as Celia. (Photo: Mark Davies)

Reminiscences and Anecdotes

Members are encouraged to write about their experiences of working on or seeing this production. Please leave your name. Anonymous entries may be deleted.

See Also

External Links

• Volpone production blog
• Volpone rehearsal photos