It's True, It's True, It's True

by Ellice Stevens, Billy Barrett

“And there’s blood pouring out of this man’s throat. Because these two women are beheading him - did I not mention that?”

Fringe First and Total Theatre Award- winning Breach (Tank, The Beanfield) restage the 1612 trial of Agostino Tassi for the rape of baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi.

Based on surviving court transcripts, this new play dramatises the seven-month trial that gripped Renaissance Rome, and asks how much has changed in the last four centuries.

Blending myth, history and contemporary commentary, this is the story of how a woman took revenge through her art to become one of the most successful painters of her generation.

Genres: Plays

52 pages, Paperback

First published October 16, 2018

Reviews

[hélène · Rating 3 out of 5]

definitely does very well in executing what it wants to do. but i’m not sure i like this style of retelling. bits of it are great and the way the plot progresses is very satisfying to watch. however, i just don’t love this style of retelling events with modern sensibilities and language (like slang and modern swear words.) it adds a certain irony and unserious layer that almost makes some of the characters downplay what is actually happening and their emotions ring fat too melodramatic and comedically charged. definitely not bad but i’d say not done in a way i feel “respects” the story it is telling or presenting it in what i feel is the most effective way of sharing it.

[freya · Rating 3 out of 5]

i am very conflicted by this because artemisia gentileschi is one of my favourite artists and i think the use of the original court transcripts alongside her artwork to tell the story of the trial is genius. however, i don’t feel like the humorous aspects work most of the time and i kind of wish there was a more serious retelling of artemisia’s story but this isn’t to say this is a bad play, it just doesn’t work for me

[Gaia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this one since I genuinely admire Gentileschi's art —I really did— but I couldn't get past the scene in which the biblical Judith started belting out Patti Smith's Gloria while bathed in holy light

[bella issa · Rating 5 out of 5]

that was INTENSE and so well done. the ending was perfect, truly. artemisia’s story captures realities that still resound four hundred years later. i initially misunderstood the picture shown on the back cover, and the full realization makes the play hit even harder.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly extraordinary.

[Max Sandrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

The intertwining of the trial and Artemisia Gentileschi's Judith Beheading Holofernes and Susanna and the Elders allowed the audience to connect with Artemisia on a much deeper level. My heart hurts for her. Fuck Agostino Tassi.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, powerful, and (sadly,) still so relevant today.

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unbelievable

[ellie✧*:･ﾟ · Rating 4 out of 5]

✭ ✭ ✭ ✭