Get Involved / Bluebeard’s Wives

ICA, London and C Central, Edinburgh Fringe, July-August 2003

Written by Helena Thompson

Directed by Rachel Grunwald

Designed by Odelia Lavie

Original music and sound design by Marc Sherer

Film by Dan Wilson

“Do whatever you want, but don’t degrade yourself”

-extract from Bluebeard’s Wives

Bluebeard's Wives is theatre in its truest sense, a spectacular presentation of original new writing. In an explosion of sound, film and dance, SPID reworks the mythical tale of the wife murderer and the woman he tests. Alone in her husband's castle, this wife makes a surprising sacrifice for her husband's secrets. Innocence vies with the past in a provocative piece of performance theatre that examines the roles today's women play and the ways they are commodified.

Following a sell-out run at London's ICA Theatre in July 2003, Bluebeard's Wives transferred to C Central venue for three weeks at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. A radio adaption was later broadcast on Resonance FM, and a promenade, puppet version staged in a church featured in the Lambeth Festival 2005. Bluebeard’s Wives marked the start of the collaboration between writer Helena Thompson and director Rachel Grunwald, and was published by Plays International in 2004.

Fringe Report said:

‘Powerful staging, the searing power of Helena Thompson's haunting script, Rachel Grunwald's gifted and quirky direction, inspired video work, Faith Hagerty's literally enchanting performance. A crazed theatrical delight.’

Edinburgh Evening News said:

‘This was a simple, if fantastical, love story, but so beautifully written and directed that every member of the audience could leave with a subtly different understanding of the play. Perhaps the descent into madness, the ascent to sanity, or some point in-between. It was certainly no children’s fairytale. Did they all live happily ever after? You’d better hurry if you want to find out. ****’

Three Weeks said:

‘Redefines the use of film on stage …a captivating show.’

British Theatre Guide said:

‘Under the imaginative direction of Rachel Grunwald, and with a production team of no less than 17, this is a very promising production which suggests that S.P.I.D. is a company to follow.’