The Love of the Nightingale could arguably be the most violent incest themed play in modern western drama.
The adaption of the ancient Greek myth of Philomela, an Athenian princess, contains love, sex, loneliness, murder, despair and revenge and will be performed by Putney Arts Theatre at the venue next week.
The narrative is a deadly mix of politics, sexuality, ethics and feminism, and in Timberlake Wertenbaker’s re-telling the story focuses on the power that words have; who speaks, for whom and what the price is of silence.
The story revolves around Tereus, a war lord of a northern country who takes the eldest daughter of his ally, King Pandion, to be his Queen in Thrace.
Princess Procne grows lonely though and her husband goes back to Athens to get her sister, Philomele, who he then falls in love with and viciously rapes before cutting her tongue out to silence her.
Philomele has a gruesome plan though that will avenge her and her sister.
Putney Arts Theatre are using a simple set for the twisted tale and will incorporate modern and ancient Greek theatre, erotic dance with sadistic violence, battle, passion and puppetry.
The Love of the Nightingale, Putney Arts Theatre, Ravenna Road, February 23 to 27, 7.45pm, £10 (Tuesday £7). Call 020 8788 6943 or visit putneyartstheatre.org.uk.
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