The Malcontent

Synopsis

Social role-play and sexual innuendo, Jacobean style. The true Duke of Genoa has lost his throne to the usurper Pietro. The Duke returns to court in disguise to expose the corruption and regain his true office. Resonating with echoes of Shakespeare's Measure For Measure and Hamlet The Malcontent is a fabulous study of courtly intrigue, betrayal and treachery.

Our Review:

9 December 2002

Note: The following review dates from August 2002 and this production's original run at Stratford.

Sex, drugs, political corruption, violence and murder infest the court of Genoa in John Marston's The Malcontent. It may have been written in 1603, but the play transfers brilliantly to the 21st-century Latin American setting of Dominic Cooke's mesmerising production.

As the play begins, the beautiful and sexually voracious ladies of the court dance sensuously with Ferneze (Billy Carter), a handsome young courtier dressed immaculately in white suit and crimson lace shirt. But before long, the virile Carter is writhing on the floor half-dead, wearing only the Duchess Aurelia's luxurious silk chemise.

The court has sunk deep in corruption since the deposition of Duke Giovanni; plots abound and venal courtiers switch sides to support whoever appears the stronger. Unknown to most, Duke Giovanni still inhabits the court in disguise as Malevole, th...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com (192.39.93.40) - 17 February 2003:

I wasn't sure what to expect when I went to see this play, but it was excellent. ...

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