An Introduction to Volpone

Volpone has long been a popular choice as a set text for students. Written by Ben Jonson, it was first produced in 1606 and billed as a comedy, although 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.

The Volpone 3 disc DVD pack contains:

The full length feature DVD, with optional subtitles.
The extras DVD, with in-depth interviews with cast and crew.
The Mastershot DVD showing all entrances/exits, and lighting and scenery changes.

NOT FOR RENTAL: This DVD is authorised for retail sale for private home use and for use within schools and educational organisations.

“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

Gallery

Corvino, Tim Steed

Volpone, Richard Bremmer

Volpone, Richard Bremmer and Mosca, Mark Hadfield

Mosca, Mark Hadfield

Nano, Conrad Westmaas, Castrone, Edmund Kingsley and Androgyno, Harvey Virdi

The company

Cast & Crew

Directed by Elizabeth Freestone

The Company (in order of appearance)

Trained: RADA. Theatre includes: Talent, Rookery Nook (Menier Chocolate Factory), The Hour We Knew Nothing Of Each Other, Therese Raquin – WhatsOnStage, Olivier Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Performance – (National Theatre), Donkey’s Years, 39 Steps (West Yorkshire Playhouse), A Night At The Dogs (Soho Theatre), Child Of The Snow and Two’s Company (Bristol Old Vic), Man And Superman and Don Juan (Peter Hall Co.) By Many Wounds, Cracked (Hampstead), The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre), Becket (Haymarket), Much Ado About Nothing (Queens Theatre), Guys And Dolls (Prince Of Wales), Romeo And Juliet (Lyric Hammersmith), Snoopy The Musical (Duchess Theatre), The Danube and Amphytrion (Gate Theatre), The Miser (Chichester), Peter Pan and The Plough And The Stars (West Yorkshire Playhouse), A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Le Bourgeoise Gentilhomme (RNT). For the RSC: Hamlet, Love’s Labour’s Lost, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Canterbury Tales (Helen Hayes Award Nomination – Outstanding Lead Actor), Twelfth Night, Jubilee, The Seagull, The Two Gentlemen Of Verona, Talk Of The City, Bartholomew Fair, The Winter’s Tale, The Plain Dealer, The Plantaganets, Comedy Of Errors, Kissing The Pope. Television credits include: Doc Martin, Foyle’s War, Casualty, Holby City, Rhona, People Like Us, The Wyvern Mystery, Pig Sty, Posh Nosh, Headless, The Vice 2, Cracker, Van Der Valk, Butterflies, The Bill. Film credits include: Hamlet, A Cock And Bull Story, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, In The Bleak Midwinter, Century, Just Like A Woman. Radio credits include: A High Wind In Jamaica, Talk Of The City, Hamlet, Romeo And Juliet, Fungus The Bogeyman.