Inky Cloak Opens COVER HER FACE: An Adaptation of John Webster's THE DUCHESS OF MALFI

New Theatre Company Inky Cloak has announced its launch production will be a bold new adaptation of John Webster's The Duchess Of Malfi featuring a third gender performer in the title role and an all-male cast.

Cover Her Face is a trans fable, in which a wealthy socialite who wishes to live on their own terms must hide the full depth of their desires because of the times they live in and the brothers they have. When their explosive secret is finally revealed, the family's refusal to accept is what tears everyone apart.

The show features writer/performer La JohnJoseph, whose previous stage work has explored challenging issues of identity and gender (Boy In A Dress, UK Tour, Infinite Variety, West End), leading a nine-strong all-male cast to offer an alternative take on Webster's classic.

Cover Her Face is staged as a site-specific show at BethnAl Green Working Men's Club, a venue more associated chaotic gay club nights than classical theatre, chosen because it opened in the era when this production is set.

The cast includes Jack Johns (The Love Girl and the Innocent, Southwark Playhouse, Othello, Othello Peckham Theatre Company) as the Minister (the Cardinal in Webster's original) and Tom Cuthbertson (Richard III, Changeling Theatre) as Ferdinand. Christopher Tester (On The Bridge, Sameer Patel, King Lear, The Almeida) plays Bosola and Tom Campion (Cymbeline, Les Foules) plays Antonio. Veteran cabaret and musical performer Nigel Osner takes on role of Castruccio, and Kane Surry (A Midsummer Night's Dream, Grassroots Theatre Company) plays the role of Julian. Cariolo will be played by Oliver Yellop, and Ashley Pekri will play Delio.

Cover Her Face is directed by Daniel Fulvio and Martin Moriarty of Inky Cloak. The production is made possible through partial funding by Arts Council England.

The show will run from Februaray 10th through the 15th with press night on the 10th. Shows begin at 7:30pm (7:00pm on Thursday February 13th) at BethnAl Green Working Men's Club, 42 Pollard St, London E2 6NB.

Tickets are £12 (£10). For more ticket information, contact the box office at workersplaytime.net. For more general information visit inkycloak.co.uk.

Photo Credit: La JohnJoseph by Leon Csernohlavek from Inky Cloak's Kickstarter

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