This play is dedicated to Rafael Simonetti.
The show consists of five monologues written by great French writer, poet, artis, playwright and film maker Jean Cocteau. He was one of the major figures in surrealist movement and strongly influenced 20th century European theatre, film and visual arts. Cocteau's murrals can be seen today in London's Notre Dame De France church.
Cocteau's monologues were initially written for people like Edit Piaf, Jean Marrais and Maria Casarez. But despite being powerful and deep pieces of theatrical writing the monologues are hardly ever performed today. Final monologue is taken from the play Infernal Machine. All five monologues convey characteristic themes of Cocteau; solitute of a modern man, longing for love and true human connection, phylosophical and mythological aspects of his work.
Show is titled "Threads" because we see each monologue as a thread of a certain colour, when woven together they creat the actual fabric of the production. The idea came from Cocteau's deep fascination with ancient, and in particular with Greek mythology. Greek goddesses of Fate spin their threads and by doing so create a destiny or life path for each individual. So does the character played by Karlina Grace-Paseda. In our interpretation she represents Fate-Death mystical entity.
However, the monologues are chosen in such a way that they touch upon every colour in Cocteau's rich palet-show starts with almost comical, very down to earth monologue of spoiled provincial diva and ends with the poetic speech of an Egyptian Sphinx.
Venue:
Tea House Theatre
139 Vauxhall Walk London, SE11 5HL
Dates