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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
- Licensor
- Dramatists Play Service
- 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
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
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|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
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|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
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
Scenes
Key Terms
A version of a work modified from another medium or language, making it suitable for a new performance context.
A group in Ancient Greek theatre that commented on the action, represented the public, and provided narrative insight.
A form of self-referential drama where the play draws attention to its own theatricality. This device challenges the audience’s suspension of disbelief and is used in Epic Theatre and postmodern works.
A body of traditional stories involving gods, heroes, and creation myths. Mythology provides inspiration for characters and narratives in global theatre traditions.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress