Volpone (2007)
by Ben Jonson
Directed by Dave Hollander
Assistant director: Mark Davies
Performances: Tue 5th – Sat 9th June 2007, Bell Theatre
Contents
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
- Production photos by Mark Davies
Carole Coyne as Lady Would-Be with Michael Wilson as Volpone.
Damien Gilchrist as Bonario with Matthew Lyne as Corbaccio.
Alex Kapila as Mosca with Michael Wilson as Volpone.
Richard Watkins as Sir Politic with Charlotte Vaight as Peregrine.
Nick Mansley as Corvino with Stephanie Egbe as Celia.
Reminiscences and Anecdotes
Mark made a massive commemorative pork pie for the aftershow party (pictured left)!
~ Dave Hollander
See Also
The Alchemist was the only other play produced at the SLTC written by Ben Jonson
