SCENES FROM AN EXECUTION

by Howard Barker

Directed by Michael Harding

Tues 8th May to Sat 12th May 2007 at 7.45pm

SDS is proud to present this rarely-staged play, in which artistic conviction, ambition, patronage and politics meet head-on. The Muslim dominance of the Eastern Mediterranean has been overturned at the Battle of Lepanto by a coalition of Western States. The victorious Council of Venice has commissioned a vast celebratory painting to mark this illustrious victory. Controversially, the Doge selects Galactia, a female artist, to execute the commission. Her mastery of the depiction of the human anatomy has brought her critical acclaim and placed her alongside the great painters of the age, at a time when women rarely achieved such recognition.  As the painting develops, however, her portrayal of the horrifying reality of war diverts her from the celebration of noble and glorious victory her patrons anticipate. Drawn into confrontation with the State, her daughters and her lover, Barker’s compelling play explores the relationship of the artist with society and authority.

CAST LIST

Galactica - a skilled artist of repute(single minded, uncompromising outspoken)- SIAN NOTLEY. Mother to:

Dementia, apprentice to Galactia, striving to escape her mother's intransigent philosphy - MELISSA MORGAN

Supporta, apprentice to Galactia, striving to escape her mother's intransigent philosphy - CHARLIE BILLOSN

Rivera(influential critic and shrewd intellectual, servant to the state) - ANTHEA HALSTEAD

Carpeta - (an artist, talented and dependable. Outshone by the talent of Galactica, his lover) - MARK JENNER

Urgentino - the Doge of Venice - patron of artists (a pragmatist who understands the bounds of tolerance in the exercise of power) - STEPHEN GREEN

Ostensibile - a cardinal, (powerful and deeply conservative) - NEIL ARBON

Suffici - (victorious admiral of the Battle of Leppanto, earns his living by executing his remarkable injuries) - PADDY NETSCHER

Prodo - a battle veteran -HAMISH NEILL

Sordo - an Artist - CARL DUFFY

Pastacchio - an Cleric -MICHAEL FOULDES

Lasagna - an Artist - MICHAEL FOULDES

The Sketchbook - MICHAEL HARDING

Other parts played by - THE CAST