UNLEASHED
Thursday 9th & Friday 10th August, 21.05 – 21.25
Fourfortytwo and The Blackburn Company
Music: Philip Venables
Words & Direction: Nick Blackburn
Cast: Kris Belligh, Simon Prag, Ken Christiansen & Richard Dodwell
Violas: Stephen Upshaw & Martin Lissola
UNLEASHED: An anti-opera about maleness.
UNLEASHED is about what men want, told from the perspective of men who want to have really hard sex with each other.
What were they proud of?
What did they regret?
Most of all: how far would they go?
WARNING: Contains strong adult themes and images and graphic descriptions of sexual acts some audience members may find offensive.
The acts consisted in the main of maltreatment of the genitalia (with, for example, hot wax, sandpaper, fish hooks and needles) and ritualistic beatings either with the assailant’s bare hands or a variety of implements, including stinging nettles, spiked belts and a cat-o’-nine tails
(Laskey, Jaggard Brown vs United Kingdom, 1990)
UNLEASHED is an opera about coping with a violent world, exploring sex at the limits and why we find ourselves there. It offers a powerful perspective on sexuality, violence and masculinity in our modern world. UNLEASHED uses real text from interview transcripts with men about their sex lives – none of it is fiction or fantasy.
Philip’s music: “brutally effective” (The Times); “brutally exhilarating” (Seen & Heard); “a dark and violent portrait of sexual desire” by SoSoGay.com
Nick’s direction: “hugely imaginative” (Londonist)
Presented by Fourfortytwo and the Blackburn Company
Generously supported by The Fidelio Charitable Trust
(photo: Nate Blanchard & Philip Venables)
Please note the following video contains extreme language which some people might find offensive or upsetting
