Bell Shakespeare

FAUSTUS
ON STAGE

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"It is rare that Bell Shakespeare deviates from
the Bard, but in the case of Faustus, the
digression is well worth it; this is theatre at its
fetishistic finest... Faustus will be one of the
highlights this season..."
- Katherine Feeny, SMH

Sydney Morning Herald 06.06.11

"This Faustus is an experiment in style and
storytelling. It captures the themes of
knowledge, desire, misdeeds and their
consequences - themes that have made Faust
a recurring image in the West... It is entertaining
and engaging. And at less than two hours, it
doesn't wear out its welcome."
- Bree Hadley, The Australian

The Australian 06.06.11

INTRO.

Faustus is a brilliant man. A scholar. But there’s smart and then there’s smart. In his insatiable thirst for knowledge, Faustus goes in search of magic. But when he summons the evil Mephistophilis, we soon learn the limits of his mortal comprehension.

Faustus tries to make Mephistophilis his servant, but Mephistophilis works only for the Devil. Blinded by greed, Faustus proposes a trade: his soul in exchange for 24 years with Mephistophilis.

The Devil says yes.

The cooling-off period expires. The contract is binding. Suddenly, Faustus is headed for an eternity of horror with no clause for salvation.

Starring John Bell as Mephistophilis and Ben Winspear as Faustus, Michael Gow’s startling adaptation of Christopher Marlowe’s play takes a closer look at temptation and the price we pay for instant gratification.

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DIRECTOR'S NOTE.

“The fascinating characters in this story have interested me for a long time, as have the many great works of art that have been inspired by them. With a diverse and inspired creative team, as well as Ben Winspear and John Bell – who’s already dug into two of Shakespeare’s madder characters with me (Richard of Gloucester and Titus Andronicus) – this promises to be a really memorable experience.” – Michael Gow, director
CAST & CREATIVE.

A Bell Shakespeare and Queensland Theatre Company co-production
After Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe
Adapted and directed by Michael Gow

DESIGNER Jonathon Oxlade
VIDEO DESIGNER Chris More
LIGHTING DESIGNER Jason Glenwright
COMPOSER/SOUND DESIGNER Phil Slade
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Catarina Hebbard

WITH
John Bell
Vanessa Downing
Jason Klarwein
Kathryn Marquet
Catherine Terracini
Ben Winspear

The translation of Goethe’s Urfaust used in this adaptation is by John Williams, published by Wordsworth Editions.