Thérèse Raquin

Dirty Pretty Theatre & Critical Stages productions
Cast: Jessica Clarke, Andre Jewson, Marta Kaczmarek, Emily Milledge, James O’Connell, Mark Wilson and David Paterson
Adapted and directed By: Gary Abrahams
Composer: Christopher De Groot
Set Designed By: Jacob Battista
Costumes By: Chloe Greaves
Lighting Designer: Katie Sfetkidis

A thrilling new adaptation of Emile Zola’s landmark novel

Causing great controversy when first published over 150 years ago, Thérèse Raquin is a superb examination of corrupted morals and transforms the city of love into a sinister setting for murder. Set in the notoriously dingy backstreets of Paris in the late 19th century, Thérèse lives a life of servitude and desperation. After being married off to her sickly cousin in an arranged and loveless marriage, her life is suddenly turned around by the arrival of Laurent, her husband’s friend. They begin a passionate, feverish affair but this tempestuous love triangle soon heads into dangerous territory. What follows in this masterpiece of French literature makes for a gripping, corseted thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat.

This superb production features an outstanding design, with sumptuous costumes, a highly impressive set and compelling original music by Christopher De Groot performed live, as well as stunning performances from the cast. This is a perfect show for those who want a larger scale drama and for those who love period works. It’s also an absolutely compelling edge of your seat psychological drama.

Suited to audiences passionate about seeing high quality drama, especially period drama, as well as upper secondary and university students of drama and literature aged 16+.

Dirty Pretty Theatre is one of Melbourne’s most exciting independent companies, presenting evocative narrative theatre based on literary works created with a highly theatrical aesthetic.

This work was developed with Playwriting Australia at the 2012 National Play Festival.