“You sing of yours, and I of mine relate;
To everyone seems worst his own estate.”
(The Maid’s Metamorphosis, Act IV Scene i)
Ascanio, son to the Duke, heads into the forest, desperate to find his love, the fair Eurymine, who has lately fled the court without explanation. The forest, inevitably, turns out to be magical and plays host to shepherds, woodmen, gods, goddesses, fairies, muses, fools, magicians… and trees. It is a place of confusion, deception and misunderstanding. Everyone and everything, it seems, is searching for something.
The Maid’s Metamorphosis (1600) is an anonymous Elizabethan comedy, which we know was performed by “Paul’s Boys”, one of the two leading boys’ companies of the day. Although a comedy – no one dies – the play exploits several theatrical genres, moves across a vast range of tones, and features a great deal of music. This is the first production since 1600. Prepare to be surprised!
With this production Edward’s Boys are helping Dr Agnès Lafont (Montpellier) and Dr Lindsay Ann Reid (Galway) to prepare the first modern edition of The Maid’s Metamorphosis, which will be published in the Revels Series by Manchester University Press (MUP).
There will be two tours: the first, in England; the second, to Central London and Montpellier, France. See below for dates and how to book.
Wednesday 13th March at 7.00pm
Levi Fox Hall, King Edward VI School, Chapel Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6BE
Tickets: £10; Concessions: £5
Thursday 14th March at 6.00pm
The Mick Jagger Centre, Dartford Grammar School, Dartford, Kent DA1 2HW
Tickets: £15; Concessions: £10
Friday 15th March at 7.00pm
The Dream Factory, Warwick www.playboxtheatre.com
Tickets: £10; Concessions: £8; Members: £5
Saturday 16th March at 7.00pm
Magdalen College, Oxford, OX1 4AU
Tickets: £15; Concessions: £10
Sunday 17th March at 7.00pm
Levi Fox Hall, King Edward VI School, Chapel Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6BE
Tickets: £10; Concessions: £5
Saturday 23rd March at 7.00pm
City of London Boys’ School, London EC4V 3AL
Tickets: £15; Concessions: £10
(24th – 29th March tour to Montpellier, France.)
Tickets for all performances (apart from The Dream Factory – see website) purchased via https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/kes
