Set against a backdrop of Blake’s engravings, this innovative show brings to life his prophetic works, through music, verse and contemporary dance, in a way that has never been seen before.
It is the first time that the books "Jerusalem", "Milton" and "Vala" have been performed live on stage.

First staged at The New Players Theatre in London’s West End on the 250th anniversary of the birth of William Blake (November 2007).

Having been conjured up on the banks of the Thames, Shakespeare's spirit is forced to rethink the way he has portrayed female characters in his plays. The five protagonists address him directly, whilst questioning his motives and the reasoning behind the situations he has placed them in.
We are taken on a difficult yet enlightening journey: the stories of these incisive women are still so relevant to the women of today.

Featured characters

The Bard
William Blake
Jesus the Imagination
Catherine Blake
Robert Blake
Job
Albion
Job’s wife
Jerusalem
Elohim the Creator
Ezekiel
Satan
Mrs. Boucher
Jones
Sarah Boucher
Devil
Richmond
Voice of The Divine Mother
Matthews
Elihu
Palmer

Author

Tim Bruce (after the works of William Blake)
with additional material from Paul Duncan, Deborah Eckman and Monia Giovannangeli

Director

Victor Vertunni
(co-directed by Monia Giovannangeli, Vanessa Payer-Kumar and Tim Bruce)

Original Cast

The Bard - Victor Vertunni
William Blake/Jesus the Imagination - Tim Bruce
Catherine Blake/dancer/ensemble - Monia Giovannangeli
Robert Blake/ensemble - Sergio Otero Ksiloco
Job/Albion - Reinhardt Winter
Job’s wife/Jerusalem/ensemble - Vanessa Payer-Kumar
Elohim the Creator/Ezekiel/ensemble - Adda van Zanden
Satan/ensemble - Deborah Eckman and Eva Neubauer
Mrs. Boucher/Jones/ensemble - Nicolette van 't Hek
Sarah Boucher/dancer/ensemble - Marja Merisalo
Devil/Richmond/ensemble - Alexandra Maitland Hume
Voice of The Divine Mother -Carol Starks
Matthews/ensemble - Carl-Johan Haggman
Elihu/ensemble - Mirjam Garscha
Palmer/ensemble - Leo Vertunni
Dancer/ensemble - Francesca Panariti

Musicians

Carl-Johan Haggman - percussions
Leo Vertunni - guitar
Victor Vertunni - vocals, guitar

Coreography

Monia Giovannangeli and Marja Merisalo

Stage and lighting design

Hugo & Thea de Leener

Costumes

Duncan & Thuy Baillie, Marianne Schulz, Antonio & Antonietta Giovannangeli

20.11 - 2.12.2007

UK

The New Players Theatre
London