Play Details
Context
Artistic Director
Dominic Cooke
Dates Performed
Tuesday 10th June 2008
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs
Play Details
Synopsis
In a modern city where appearances are everything, beneath the surface lies a world obsessed with image and identity.
Lette, a successful engineer, has always considered himself average until he discovers the shocking truth: he is deemed unbearably ugly by his peers. This revelation comes to light when he is prevented from presenting his invention at a conference, a task handed over to his assistant instead. Desperate and humiliated, Lette turns to a plastic surgeon for a radical transformation. The surgery is a success beyond his wildest dreams, turning him into a stunning Adonis. However, his newfound beauty brings unforeseen complications.
As Lette’s life dramatically changes, he climbs the social and professional ladders, becoming rich, famous, and desired by many. But the play’s incisive satire reveals the darker side of this metamorphosis. Lette’s perfect face becomes a commodity, leading to a series of surgeries that replicate his features on others. This commodification of beauty raises profound questions about identity, individuality, and the societal obsession with physical appearance.
Cast & Creative
Cast
Amanda Drew
Cast
Michael Gould
Cast
Mark Lockyer
Cast
Frank McCusker
Cast
Simon Paisley Day
Designer
Jeremy Herbert
Lighting
Charles Balfour
Sound