Faustaff, a new Mexican play that opens at the Cockpit on Nov 19th. It is an exciting new play, a modernisation of the Faustus story, which is playing simultaneously in Mexico and here in the UK.
FAUSTAFF, or the mockery of the soul
by Mexican playwright Diego Sosa
From Tuesday 17th November to Sunday 6th December 2015
at The Cockpit Theatre, London
The Mexican Theatre Company La Compañia Perpetua in collaboration with UK’s Artistic Producciones, is proud to present FAUSTAFF, a play inspired by the Faustian myth, set in the modern world and seen through feminine eyes, written by the Mexican playwright, Diego Sosa.
FAUSTAFF is an international project that brings together Mexican and British artists. The play is being simultaneously produced in both Mexico city and London. British director Frank Kaye will helm a Mexican cast in Mexico and Mexican director Rodrigo Johnson will direct a British cast in the United Kingdom.
FAUSTAFF will run at London’s The Cockpit Theatre from Tuesday 17th November to Sunday 6th December 2015.
FAUSTAFF is inspired by the Faustian myth, set in the modern world and seen through feminine eyes. The title of the play, however, comes from a mixture between Marlowe’s and Goethe’s Dr. Faustus and Shakespeare’s Falstaff, the mischievous character from Henry IV saga and The Merry Wives of Windsor.
FAUSTAFF is the story of Gily Jacoby, a successful writer that has become world famous, thanks to a pact she’s made with the devil. This has granted her the ability to see the ill future of couples so that she can write the successful novels that have turned her into a best seller author. The price, however, is far too high. Her heartbreaks, ambitions and dreams turn out to be somewhat different than what she had expected. The result: a tragic twirl that will lead her into madness and the fulfilment of her own prophecies.
FAUSTAFF is a modern tragedy filled with black humour, in which the characters walk through a hallway that will lead them to the fulfilment of their own destiny.
Virginia Wolf once said that the world of her times was not ready for a feminine Faustus. Now, the modern world is, according to the author, ready for a character like this. An ambitious woman driven by greed and willing to do anything for success, even at the price of her soul.
FAUSTAFF explores the limits between fiction and reality, in a world where media has blurred those frontiers; a world where men and women are obsessed with power, money and social recognition; a world that has lost its sensibility towards tragedy, and violence has taken over.
The set will be designed by the Artist Pablo Ángel Lugo, a recognized Mexican artist who is living in the UK. His wide artist productions includes paintings, drawings, engravings, sculptures, videos, performances, illustrations, graphic design, and collaborations in cinema. He specialises in public art. His work has been exhibited in Mexico, Cuba, the United States, Colombia, Spain, France, Portugal and the U.K., among other countries.
FAUSTAFF is one of the events of the Dual Year Mexico – United Kingdom 2015. The governments of Mexico and the United Kingdom decided to celebrate the “Year of Mexico in the United Kingdom” and the “Year of the United Kingdom in Mexico” in 2015 to promote better understanding between both societies.
FAUSTAFF is an international production that will be happening in Mexico and in the UK, simultaneously.
http://www.thecockpit.org.uk/show/faustaff
http://www.artisticproducciones.org
http://www.laperpetua.com
http://mexicouk2015.mx/en/
LISTINGS
FAUSTAFF or the mockery of the soul
A play by Diego Sosa
Directed by Rodrigo Johnson
17th November – 6th December
Performances: Tuesday to Sunday, 7.30pm
The Cockpit Theatre
Gateforth Street, London, NW8 8EH
Tickets: £14 (concessions £12)
Box Office: 020 7258 29 25
Website: http://www.thecockpit.org.uk