Written by Emma Rice, Blue Beard, is a co-production with Birmingham Rep, HOME Manchester, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh and York Theatre Royal. It opened at Theatre Royal Bath on 8th February, with previews from 2nd, and runs until 10 February, before a UK tour to venues including the partner theatres.
Blue Beard the Magician makes hearts flutter and pupils dilate. With a wink, a stroke and a flick – things just seem to vanish. Cards, coins, scarves… and women.
Puff! Gone. Without a trace.
He meets his match when his young bride discovers his dark and murderous secret. She summons all her rage, her smarts and her sisters to bring the curtain down on his tyrannous reign.
Emma Rice brings her own brand of theatrical wonder to this most beguiling and disturbing of tales. With her signature sleight of hand, Blue Beard explores curiosity and consent, violence and vengeance – all through an intoxicating lens of music, wit and tender truth.
When someone tells you not to look, OPEN THE BLOODY DOOR!
Patrycja Kujawska returns to the company, having previously appeared in Bagdad Cafe (The Old Vic), and Wise Children (The Old Vic/Wise Children)
The Artiscape spoke to Kujawska about the show.
What attracted you to Blue Beard Script?
Kujawska: The strongest pull was how female characters are portrayed in Emma Rice’s version of the tale; their want to reclaim power, independence, instinct of survival, control over their choices, their right to unapologetically enjoy life in full, also their ability to deal with grief.
Can you tell us about the character you play?
Kujawska: I play a mother called Treasure. We meet her at her husband’s funeral, when she and her two daughters embrace a new life without their beloved “Good Man”. Despite her sorrows she knows there is hope, she believes life caries on – she says “ Life is for living“ giving herself and her daughter permission to move on.
What do yo look forward to in your return to the company and performing this play?
Kujawska: This in my ninth show directed by Emma Rice. We’ve come a long way together.
I always value and am proud of the shows we have done over the years, yet this time it feels even more special, the depth, the humour and deep darkness, the style of it, the music, glorious set and costumes and last but not least the cast who are just sublime.
What do you feel an audience will enjoy about this play?
Kujawska: We have done around 20 shows of Blue Beard so far on this tour and after every performance, members of the audience come to tell us how much it meant to them, how moved they were . How it grabbed their hearts. How it made them think and FEEL!
It opened at Theatre Royal Bath on 8th February, with previews from 2nd, and runs until 10 February, before a UK tour to venues including the partner theatres.
