Venue: The Zoo (Pleasance)
This show tells the story of John Wilmot, the Earl of Rochester, who, in the late 17th century, during the reign of Charles II, is a debauched and degenerate man who leads a double life. When he is at his country estate, he is faithful to his wife and sober but, when he comes down to London, he becomes the licentious and libidinous libertine of the title.
The play starts with an introduction from the Earl in which he tells the audience, that we will not like him and that he doesn’t care. He is the worst sort of attention seeker and a man who will tell any lie to satisfy his own needs. His cohorts assist him until circumstances force him into hiding. He is requested by the king to write the greatest play ever, he falls in love with an actress and he allows one of his coteries to be killed during a drunken escapade.
In the end he suffers the fate of all those who live by the sword (and I do mean that metaphorically – there’s a lot of this and much franker dialogue in the play). The only reason he lives on in the play is because one of his friends writes a play about him.
The cast do a very good job with this not very pleasant tale. The costumes are gorgeous and the wigs exquisite. They really knew how to dress in those days!
If you’re not easily offended and would like to see a period play set during the restoration, then you will enjoy this. If you blush at the word dildo, however, keep away.
For booking details go to The Libertine