The Libertine

Meet John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester.

Poet. Playwright. Playboy.
Notorious womaniser.
Lover of pornography and scandal
And a man, so consumed with wine and women, that he debauched his way to an early grave at 33.

The pleasure is all his.

Stage Two Productions and Theatre of Love presents the wildly entertaining play “The Libertine” by Stephen Jeffreys. Popularised in a 2004 film starring Johnny Depp, it tells the story of the roguish Wilmot and the moment his profound cynicism is confounded when he falls in love with the first great actress of the modern stage, Elizabeth Barry.

Thoroughly modern in its appeal – part history-lesson, part-drama, part comic farce – it is a rollicking tale through the theatres and brothels of 17th Century London.

Director Oliver Page believes The Libertine, first performed in 1994 is especially relevant to the ever darkening world of the late 2000s. “In such difficult times can we be satisfied solely by pursuits of the flesh? Can we seek release through excess? Can the Arts innate ability to put things in perspective ever be enough to give us piece of mind?”

A score, featuring music from the period, has been specially prepared for this production and in a rare treat; two live musicians will accompany the action onstage.

Stage Two Productions has carved a name for itself for daring theatre. Recent productions include Patrick Graham’s White Trash Omnibus, Roderick D.Morgan’s Suburbia and Thomas Sainsbury’s Caustic.

The Libertine runs for 10 nights from Wednesday 29th April until Sat 9th May. All shows are 8pm at the Musgrove Studio, Maidment Theatre. No show Monday.

Tickets are $15 for Students and $20 for Adults.

Bookings can be made at maidment.auckland.ac.nz or phone Ph (64 9) 308 2383

Don’t resist temptation. Pursue it.

Event listed by James Wenley

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