Blush of Dogs, at the Tabard Theatre

An exploration of politics, freedom and family, adapted from an ancient myth

From the makers of Planter’s Island comes an unorthodox exploration of politics, freedom and family adapted from ancient myth

Tabard Theatre, Tue 7 – Sat 25 April 2015 (Tue – Sat only) at 19.30pm

After years of vicious civil war a small city state half way across the world rebuilds itself in the ashes. Love and betrayal, fear and failure intertwine in a world of bankrupt royalty. Adapting their work from the ancient Greek story of Thyestes, Fragen Theatre Company produces a bold, physical and provocative piece that engages at close quarters with sensitive and relevant political issues.

Inhabiting a sinister world of stark expressionism fuelled by humour, naked humanity and treacherous hope, Fragen Theatre Company presents an ancient Greek story as it has never been seen before. Blush of Dogs is a new play adapted from the myth of Thyestes. It is inspired by contemporary life, human relationships and questions of interaction, accountability and leadership. At its core it is a play about freedom and the conflicts between incompatible ideas of freedom, seen through the prism of a family torn apart by fear, repression and the neglect of responsibility, approached with naivety, slapstick humour and compassion.

Writer and director Roland Reynolds said, “It’s a real pleasure to be playing at the Tabard Theatre. They are a venue open to unorthodox, political and dangerous theatre that aspires to inspire change. Our aim is to create a dreamlike, anarchic but coherent world that reflects the world we love and fear. We blend myth and reality to generate recognisable stories in a totally alien environment. We don’t pretend to have any answers to the world’s questions and problems that we want to broadcast through our work. We simply begin with the questions and problems and see where they lead us.”

Fragen Theatre Company - Previous works include the murder-mystery-thriller-cannibal-dream-play Planter’s Island, centred on a private detective destroyed by his own subconscious, and Possession!, a short opera produced as part of the Tête-à-Tête opera festival.

Running time: 1 hour 45 mins | Suitable for ages 15+

Cast-Anna Procter, Ben Alderton & Mike Corsale

Designed by Isabella Van Braeckel
Produced by Fragen Theatre Company Lighting design by Alex Hopkins
Written & directed by Roland Reynolds

April 10, 2015