Venus and Adonis

Synopsis: A 2-camera video recording of the production of the puppet Venus and Adonis inspired by Bunraku and performed at the Little Angel, Islington. Directed by Gregory Doran and narrated by Michael Pennington.
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Video
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Recording date: 3 Nov 2004
Duration: 60 mins

Theatre: Little Angel, Islington
Theatre company: Royal Shakespeare Company
Production type: Stage Recordings
Subjects: English language and literature
Keywords: Bunraku; puppet theatre; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Puppets; Complete Works Festival (Stratford upon Avon 2006-7)

Notes: The production opened at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre as part of the New Work Festival 29 September-17 October 2004. The production was recorded by the Royal Shakespeare Company 15 March 2007 and is available for viewing at the Shakespeare Centre Library.
General: Director of Puppetry Steve Tiplady. Puppeteers Michael Bayliss, Lynn Roberston Bruce, Nele De Craecker, Rachel Leonard, Sarah Wright.

Puppets designed and created by Simon Auton, Stefan Fichert, John Roberts, Jungmin Song, Lyndie Wright, Jan Zalud.
History: The first performance of the production was 14 October 2004 at the Little Angel Theatre, London where it ran until November 6. It then played at The Other Place, Stratford from 10 November-18 December 2004. The production was revived for the Complete Works Festival in 2007 with Harriet Walter as narrator in the Swan Theatre. The production returned to the Little Angel Theatre in March 2007 again with Harriet Walter as narrator.
Reviews: Billington, Michael. The Guardian (London) 20 October 2004.

SHAKESPEARE