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Knowledge of Angels
by Jill Paton Walsh
adapted for the stage by Tamsin Hurtado Clarke
An island somewhat like Mallorca, but not Mallorca, at a time somewhat like 1450, but not 1450...
The ordered tranquility of a remote island is about to be shattered by the appearance of two outsiders: one, an atheist, plucked from the sea by fishermen, whose beliefs represent a challenge to the established order; the other, a child raised by wolves, whose innocence will become the subject of a dangerous experiment.
Popelei Theatre present the first stage adaptation of the Booker-nominated novel Knowledge of Angels by Jill Paton Walsh, bringing this compelling story to life with bold, poetic physicality and live acoustic music. The magnificent and historic architecture of Shoreditch Church provides the backdrop for this dynamic and challenging new production – which asks the question, could an atheist conceivably be in good faith?
'A beautiful, unsettling moral fiction about virtue and intolerance.'
— Observer review of Knowledge of Angels
by Jill Paton Walsh
Knowledge of Angels
Knowledge of Angels
Knowledge of Angels
Knowledge of Angels
1/9
CAST & CREW AND PERFORMANCE HISTORY
Location
St Leonard's, Shoreditch Church, Shoreditch High Street, Hackney, London E1 6JN
Date
3rd – 27th October 2012
Original cast
Henry Douthwaite, Matthew Wade, David Vale, Tamsin Hurtado Clarke, Maixence Bauduin and Julia Correa
Live music
Jamie Doe
Director
Tamsin Hurtado Clarke
Producer
Scarlett Plouviez
Set Designer
Josh Wyles
Designer
Rachel Wingate
Lighting
Simeon Miller
Set Builder
Joseph Maloney
WHAT THE PRESS SAY
"Its true triumph is the ingenious way the company flits between physical theatre, puppetry and breakneck costume changes, and Jamie Doe’s live music, which mixes melodies that could be torn out of Simon and Garfunkel’s songbook, with disquieting, drone-like sound effects."
— THE STAGE by Jonathan Watson
"In this first ever stage version of Jill Paton Walsh's Booker-nominated novel, adaptor Tamsin Clarke creates a deep and intense theatrical debate over faith, ethics and society...a powerful performance by David Vale as the aggressive inquisitor...Clarke's atavistic performance as Amara involves every muscle as she curls her claws, squats and snarls... impressive performances and a thoughtful execution of the novel's themes."
— TIME OUT by Emma McWhinney
"I came home positively thunderstruck… I was bowled over by the professionalism and the intelligence of every part of your production. Your wacky scaffolding worked beautifully; every single performance was stellar. The music and the lighting were wonderful. Please tell your entire team how full of admiration and gratitude for their immersion in the work I am."
— Jill Paton Walsh
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