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Overview

Synopsis

Playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker reimagines Greek myth and tragedy in her version of the Philomela story, originally commissioned for the Royal Shakespeare Company. In The Love of the Nightingale, Philomele is a romantic and infinitely curious young woman. Her sister Procne is more moderate--perhaps why the Thracian king Tereus chose to marry her. But when Procne, lonely and desperate for company, wishes Philomele would join her in Thrace, Tereus is all too eager to make the journey and fetch the young woman. Philomele has no idea of the dark and violent thoughts lurking in Tereus’ mind--and she is never warned by her handmaid Niobe.

In the original myth, Tereus cut out Philomele’s tongue immediately after sexually assaulting her. In Timberlake’s revision, Philomele is able to verbally process the attack, wondering if she is at fault. However, through her use of Athenian reason and rationality, she asserts that she is blameless, and instead Tereus is a weak and cowardly ruler who must use violence to rule. After Philomele is literally and figuratively silenced, she embarks on a journey to find a new way of communication and to reunite with her sister. A profound feminist examination of patriarchal violence and the possibility of overcoming violence through symbolic transformation, Wertenbaker crafts a compelling tale of women’s voices against all odds.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
1
First Produced
1989
Genres
Drama, Tragedy
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
Ancient Greece, Athens, Thrace
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
None
Dancing
None
Ideal For
College/University, Diverse Cast, Ensemble Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Child Characters, Medium Cast

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Philomele

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Procne

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Tereus

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Niobe

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

The Captain

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

King Pandion

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Queen

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Itys

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Female Chorus (5)

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Male Chorus

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Cindi Calhoun

Cindi Calhoun

Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress