Play Details
Context
Artistic Director
Dominic Cooke
Translated by
Caryl Churchill
Original Language
French
Dates Performed
Sunday 23rd March 2008
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Play Details
Synopsis
A Wal-Mart store
Isabelle, a frail and bedridden woman whose life revolves around her idol Céline, experiences a blend of reality and hallucination, culminating in a grotesque transformation that blurs the lines between her identity and her idol’s. The play critiques consumer culture and the often toxic nature of fandom, exploring how personal anguish can become intertwined with public adoration.
The play delves into themes of identity and self-discovery, the power of celebrity, social inequality, family dynamics, and the grotesque nature of human suffering. Structured as a non-linear, episodic dark comedy, “Bliss” uses a mix of direct audience address and surreal imagery to create a visceral theatrical experience.
Cast & Creative
Cast
Brid Brennan
Cast
Neil Dudgeon
Cast
Hayley Carmichael
Designer
Jeremy Herbert
Lighting
Nigel Edwards
Sound