Oscar and three-time Tony winner MARK RYLANCE "proves again that he is one of the great actors of our age" (Time Out London) in FARINELLI AND THE KING, coming to Broadway following sold-out runs at Shakespeare's Globe and on London's West End. Written by Claire van Kampen and directed by John Dove, this captivating new play "celebrates the restorative power of music and how it can transform us" (The Telegraph).
FARINELLI AND THE KING is inspired by the fascinating true story of Philippe V (Rylance), a Spanish monarch on the brink of madness who finds unexpected solace in the voice of world-renowned castrato, Farinelli. Soon, Farinelli and the King forge a powerful connection, and the celebrated singer must make a difficult choice: return to throngs of adoring fans or perform forever for an audience of one.
Rylance leads an acclaimed cast, including countertenor Iestyn Davies, who "sings with rapturous virtuosity and uncanny beauty" (Independent) throughout the play. Like Broadway's Twelfth Night and Richard III, this contemporary work is presented in the signature style of Shakespeare's Globe - traditional baroque instruments are performed live in a gallery above the stage; the audience enjoys intimate seating with several rows onstage; and the story is told by candlelight, creating an enchanting theatergoing experience and "a pleasure that verges on the sublime" (The Guardian).
In the context of the period setting, the anachronistic language is barbarically contemporary. A theater impresario, for instance, complains that 'so many people want a piece' of his star performer; even his wife, who 'has been on my case since we opened.' That's a pity, since director John Dove has taken such pains to re-create the heavily gilded style of the formal Baroque setting of this production, which originated at Shakespeare's Globe Theater in 2015. The richly textured costumes look especially sumptuous in the blaze of candlelight (supplied by designer Paul Russell), and the period musical instruments - harpsichord, violins, viola, theorbo, Baroque guitar - all sing true, especially as stripped of all mechanical amplification.
Unlike in Alan Bennett's play The Madness of George III, and its film adaptation, the deteriorating mental health of a monarch here doesn't constitute a sustaining narrative arc, even if Rylance's commanding performance remains the center of attention. (It's certainly the main reason for the production's Broadway transfer.) The more interesting thread is the motivation of Farinelli to keep extending his stay in Madrid, his love for Isabella becoming a contributing factor, and his refusal ever to sing in public again.
2017 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Costume Design for a Play | Jonathan Fensom |
2018 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play | Paul Russell |
2018 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Wig and Hair | Campbell Young Associates |
2018 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Lighting Design | Paul Russell |
2018 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Play | Farinelli and the King |
2018 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Orchestrations | Claire van Kampen |
2018 | Tony Awards | Best Costume Design of a Play | Jonathan Fensom |
2018 | Tony Awards | Best Lighting Design of a Play | Paul Russell |
2018 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play | Mark Rylance |
2018 | Tony Awards | Best Play | Claire van Kampen |
2018 | Tony Awards | Best Scenic Design of a Play | Jonathan Fensom |
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