A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

The Love of the Nightingale

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  8w, 12m

Timberlake Wertenbaker

The Love of the Nightingale
by Timberlake Wertenbaker

In this treatment of the Philomele myth, war hero Tereus takes his Athenian wife Procne to live in Thrace. She becomes lonely and begs him to fetch her younger sister, Philomele, from Athe's to be her companion. During the arduous return journey Tere…

The Love of the Nightingale

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    8w, 12m
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary
In this treatment of the Philomele myth, war hero Tereus takes his Athenian wife Procne to live in Thrace. She becomes lonely and begs him to fetch her younger sister, Philomele, from Athe's to be her companion. During the arduous return journey Tereus rapes Philomele and then cuts out her tongue. Despite Tereus's claim that Philomele died at sea, the two sisters are finally reunited, whereby, through a disturbing puppet show, Philomele reveals her horrific ordeal. The sisters wreak their revenge in true tragic style.
Cast Attributes
Keywords
  • Time Period Ancient
  • Setting A bare stage
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Cautions
    • Intense Adult Themes

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

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Authors

Timberlake Wertenbaker

Timberlake Wertenbaker

Timberlake Wertenbaker grew up in the Basque country and lives in London. She is one of the UK’s leading playwrights and her work is performed worldwide. She is the recipient of numerous awards including an Olivier Award and the New York Drama Critics Award for Our Country's ...

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