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The Jester's Wife — A Comedy for the Dark Ages
Jester and his Wife hiding. Killers of Dymphna, legendary Irish Saint, lurking. A mad Stranger dancing. It's a comedy for the Dark Ages
Stories of Dymphna, legendary medieval Irish Saint, recount her escape from her crazy wicked father accompanied by her Jester, and the Jester’s Wife. Spoiler alert: The Lives of the Saints tells us that the king pursues and beheads Dymphna “because she refused to consent to their brutish passion.” Yet none of these tales explain what became of the Jester and his Wife. Apparently, that couple survived to impart Dymphna’s legend, but no one has told their story. Until now.
The Jester’s Wife, a Dark Ages comedy, follows the couple as confronted by evil and still afraid for their lives they now encounter other perils. Contemplating questions of survival, responsibility, and who gets to tell a story, this play effects an original blend of medieval and distinctly Irish tinges as the Jester’s self-preserving pragmatism and his Wife’s heroic idealism spin out interesting and entertaining moral discussions. The narrative’s examination of mythmaking, martyrdom, and survivor’s guilt mingle together in ways familiar to our present lives.
Talented young actors, Emma Taylor Miller, Steve Weatherbee, and Xander Jackson drive T.J. Elliott's laugh-packed new story about olden times. Leigh Selting assists with direction, Gifford Elliott helms technical and artistic direction with Elena Vannoni, Gloria Novi, Margaret Montagna, and Scarlet Yousif creating respectively set, costume, sound, lighting,and fight scene designs. Kate Gavin stage manages with Alyssa Blake assisting. Ed Altman is Associate Producer and Marjorie Phillips Elliott is Executive Producer .
The Jester's Wife Lights up the Dark Ages
“The Jester’s sense of humour, subverting words and spinning riddles, makes for a lively encounter, and the clash between the Jester’s self-preserving pragmatism and his Wife’s heroic idealism creates some interesting and entertaining moral discussions.”
- The Abbey Theater
“... leads to compelling questions as to who gets to shape the stories we tell.”
- The Abbey Theater
Order before September 9th and get $5 off using code Jester-Besties
Graphic art by Sarah Lewis Smith of Smith+Manning
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