Volpone by Ben Jonson
Volpone has long been a popular choice as a set text for students. Written by Ben Jonson, it was first produced in 1606. Billed as a comedy, it also includes elements of tragedy and even animal fable (Volpone is Italian for ‘fox’). In essence, it’s a dark satire on greed and lust, and remains Jonson’s most performed work.
The action takes place in seventeenth-century Venice, over the course of one day. The chief characters are Volpone, a rich libertine and conman, and Mosca, his self-seeking servant. They cause chaos with an audacious fraud designed to part the city’s wealthiest from their fortunes. The tale twists and turns, as all the characters attempt to deceive each other, until the whole scheme finally collapses, with disastrous consequences for Volpone.
A great choice for students and theatre lovers
There are themes galore to explore in Volpone, a key reason for its popularity in schools and colleges. One of the most important is the power of stagecraft - Volpone doesn’t merely lie, but turns his deception into a whole production, complete with make-up, wardrobe and props. This is therefore truly a play to be seen, not just read.
In addition, it’s an excellent play to study alongside Shakespeare. Jonson and Shakespeare were contemporaries, although their approach to drama was quite different.
Of course, whether you’re a teacher, student or simply a theatre lover, Volpone, is, quite simply, great fun - its messages clearly resonating today.
Not surprisingly, Volpone is Jonson’s most performed work. As the inscription over his Westminster Abbey grave states: ‘O Rare Ben Johnson’ (sic) – and this play is indeed a rare treat to study and watch.
Volpone at Greenwich Theatre - what the critics say:
'The two leads have the makings of a delicious double act, Bremmer snuffling with mirth into his ginger furs as Hadfield makes boobies of the avaricious hypocrites with easy wit.' THE TIMES
'Richly engaging...especially Mark Hadfield, whose energetically lugubrious turn is the show's greatest pleasure.' TIME OUT
'Richard Bremmer's eponymous Volpone is central to the play but, though his lanky, agile foxiness in tasselled smoking-cap has a vitality that contrasts with the tremulous invalid he pretends to be it does not dominate the play. From his first oil-gestured entrance it is Mark Hadfield's oily-gesturing Mosca who is centre stage, in a totally winning performance, beautifully played and beautifully spoken. He is not alone in a cast that speaks with clarity and intelligence. Some say Jonson's text is more difficult to play than Shakespeare's. If that's true, with this company you wouldn't know it; they give it pace and understanding.’ BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE
‘Joyful and highly amusing production…outstanding performances throughout.’ UK THEATRE.NET
‘The play’s success can be measured by the comic relationship between the double act at the centre of the action. In this production we find an almost perfect pairing, Richard Bremmer’s spidery Volpone disgusts and amuses in equal measure and is served brilliantly by Mark Hadfield’s energetic and crumpled fixer, Mosca.’ GREENWICH.CO.UK
‘Director Elizabeth Freestone has created a hugely imaginative world in which she can slow time down, speed it up and rewind it in order to manipulate the characters for the audience’s greater enjoyment, the action after the interval being a particular treat. The costumes are wonderfully absurd creations, touched with slightly cartoon-like features, for instance stiff curled tailcoats and absurd feathers.’ GREENWICH.CO.UK
‘Brilliantly produced…Costumes and set design [are] outstanding...Richard Bremmer and Mark Hadfield were wonderful as the scheming Volpone and Mosca.’ DOCKLANDS24
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