Poet. Lover. Legend
Fusing ancient poetry with modern music, Greek chorus with contemporary dance, Sappho written by Wendy Beckett is a thrilling adult fairy tale of mythic proportions that may – or may not – have happened. Expect dancing, passion, poetry and plenty of queer joy as Pascal Productions’ international hit makes its debut on the London stage, Southwark Playhouse Elephant, 3 May – 25 May 2024.
We are somewhere between imagination and 6th century BC on the Greek island of Lesbos. The poet Sappho creates a new world in her own words. She breaks the rules of her society and elevates her gender. Socrates calls her work beautiful, Plato describes her as the tenth Muse and many think her work rivals even that of Homer’s Iliad.
Sappho has fallen in love with a woman but her family and a civilisation on the precipice of democracy have other plans for her. The defiantly spirited Sappho comes under fire and soon she must decide whether to marry a man for the advancement of her society or remain true to her own words – and her authentic self.
Cast:
Georgie Fellows (Sappho), Emmanuel Akwafo (Narrator), Eleanor Kane (Adore), Fanos Xenofos (Pittacus), Jumoké Fashola (Cleis), Velile Tshabalala (Mrs Obstinatus / Aphrodite), Aidan Banyard (Mr Obstinatus /Hephaestus), Kostas Tekkis (Dancer), Aaron Bladen (Dancer), Lucy Mackay (Dancer), Roann Hassani McCloskey (Chorus Leader) and Andrew Franklin (Chorus Leader).
SAPPHO: 3 May – 25 May
Venue: Southwark Playhouse Elephant 1 Dante Place, London SE11 4RX
Tickets: Sappho - Southwark Playhouse