Doctor Faustus
'Doctor Faustus', by Christopher Marlowe, is based on an old German legend of the scolar who sold his soul to Lucifer, the devil, in reurn for power and knowledge. It was first performed in 1589. 'Faustus' is art + power's adaptaion of Marlowe's play.
Why Faustus?
We started looking at making a new play early in 2003. We had written two of our own plays, 'The Lying Doctors' and 'Sharing the Stars', and thought we would like to return to doing a play that someone else had written. We also wanted to choose a play that would give us the chance to experiment theatrically.
We chose Faustus because it is a very strong story. It has lots of opportunities for us to try out different ideas on stage. As usual, though, as we worked on the story, we realised that the story is about all of us, all human beings. We learnt that it is the feelings in the story that we want to get across. This play is about what we have understood from the Faustus story.
In the Faustus series here you can see sketches made during rehearsals by Carol Chilcott, who was artist in residence for the Portway Players, poems about Faustus that were written and performed by the cast as part of the production, and a selection of movie clips from the dress rehearsal of Faustus by the Portway Players.
For a full investigation of art + power's interpretation of the play go to the Faustus learning resource in the Resources section.
What the press said:
'The play pulls together strong design, atmospheric lighting, haunting music, and a host of interesting visual and verbal storytelling techniques, as well as the odd genius touch of comedy.'
Bristol Evening Post 1st May, 2004
'We are proud of Bristol Old Vic's long running association with the Portway Players; long may it continue.'
David Farr and Simon Reade: Joint Artistic Directors, Bristol Old Vic
Cast
Steve Canby - Concerned Colleague, Drummer;
Devil Dancer; Gluttony; Religious Man
Brian Davis - Devil Dancer; Lucifer; Wrath; the Pope; Time
Kevin Hogan - Religious Man
Tina Kelly - Mephistophilis’ Servant; Devil Dancer; Lechery; The Horse
Steve Knight - Doctor Faustus
Liz Lane - Concerned Colleague; Mephistophilis’ Servant; Devil Dancer; Pope’s Servant
Mary Lansdown - Sin; Storyteller
Jacky Long - Duchess of Vanholt
Alex Long - Devil’s Bride; Covetousness;
Religious Man
Alan Marshall - Violinist; Religious Man
Sarah McGreevy - Concerned Colleague; Mephistophilis’ Servant; Sloth; Pope’s Servant
Richard O’Brien - Devil Dancer; Religious Man
Jenny Redlar - Concerned Colleague; Mephistophilis’ Servant; The Horse’s Tail
Marilyn Rees - Concerned Colleague; Pope’s Servant
Claude Rimmer - Mephistophilis’ Servant; Religious Man
Roy Tanner - Envy; Horse Dealer
George Trmal - The Midnight Hour; Duke of Vanholt
Chris Wiltshire - Mephistophilis
Scholars and the Voices of Good and Evil are played by members of the company
Technical Crew
Direction - Jane Sallis and Kevin Brice
Script - art + power: the portway players
Artist-in-Residence,
Programme Art - Carol Chilcott (art + power)
Brochure/Postcard Art - Nicholas Selway (art + power)
Poetry - art + power
(Brenda Cook, Jenny Redlar, Roy Tanner, Mary Lansdown, Jacky Long, Sarah McGreevy, Lyn Martin, Joan Goodyear, Alan Marshall)
BSL Interpretation - Sandra Barefoot
Access Workshop Leader - Holly Thomas
Music - Annette Dunn
Stage and Lighting Design - Jo Cuthbert and colleagues, Bristol Old Vic
Stage, Lighting Technician - Oliver Hellis, BOV
Sound - Jason Barnes, BOV
Props and Backstage - Andy Harris
Cast of Devil’s Mask - Cathy and Steve Lewis
Photography - Kamina Walton
Costumes - Pat Wildman, Ilkley Playhouse;
Lee Frost, Frocks and Tails, Bristol
Special thanks to Dorothy Heathcote, Heather Williams, Kuumba Project for their assistance with this production.
