Faustus: That Damned Woman is the latest play from award-winning playwright Chris Bush and sees the grandiose protagonist rewritten as a woman trading sacrifices to travel across centuries and alter the fabric of history.
The legend of Doctor Faustus follows the twists and turns in the demise of a scholar who – growing bored of traditional studies – sells their soul to the devil in exchange for the powers of black magic.
Drawing together the famous interpretations of the Faustus myth by Marlowe and Goethe as well as a wide range of other re-imaginings, the play asks grand questions about sacrifice and legacy.
Jodie McNee (Venice Preserved, Anatomy of a Suicide) will play the title role of Johanna Faustus and Danny Lee Wynter (The Maids, Comus) the role of Mephistopheles.
The play is the first commissioned as part of contemporary theatre company, Headlong and the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre’s new long-term commitment to commissioning and producing works by women playwrights. The production is directed by Caroline Byrne alongside an innovative creative team.
With promises of a radical and modern re-imagining of an ancient and iconic legend, this daring piece is sure to make some waves.
Faustus: That Damned Woman will run at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre until 24 February 2020 before touring the UK throughout March and April.