Orlando - (stage version)

Virginia Woolf

Summary

'Nothing is any longer one thing.'
From a teenage encounter with Elizabeth I, through infatuations, voyages and even a change of gender, Orlando lives out five centuries of life and love before they finally find the courage to truly be themselves.
Neil Bartlett's sparkling adaptation of Virginia Woolf's famous fantasy finds powerful contemporary relevance in her vision of equal rights to love for bodies of every kind – and brings it to life on the stage with a kaleidoscope of theatrical styles, overseen by the haunting figure of Woolf herself.
It premiered at the Garrick Theatre in London's West End in November 2022, in a production directed by Michael Grandage and starring Emma Corrin in the title role. Written for a diverse ensemble of nine or more actors, this adaptation will appeal to any theatre or company looking to entertain their audiences with a bold new take on this iconic tale of love and transformation.

Available since: 12/08/2022.

Print length: 104 pages.

Poetry & Theatre

1 Comments

Book of the Week 01/26/2024

We usually do not review theater plays but this adaption of Virginia Woolf’s ORLANDO has set our heart on fire! By reducing the work to its essential parts, Bartlett offers a simplified version of Woolf’s iconic novel without sacrificing any of its complexity. In fact, he includes the author herself (in fact he presents various Virginias to highlight her multiple identities) in the play, assuming the role of the omniscient (although hesitant) narrator. The presence of different Virginia’s on stage allows him to draw attention to the process of writing and creating itself. We witness how she takes notes, engages in debates about Orlando’s development and crumbles pages with frustration.

Another brilliant twist is Bartlett’s use of the housekeeper Mrs. Grimsditch, who forms the only constant in this turbulent narrative of continuous change. While Orlando lives through five different centuries, changes gender and convictions, Mrs. Grimsditch serves as a grounding force, reminding us of time and place whenever necessary. Even though Bartlett’s ORLANDO can be read without any prior knowledge of the original, we do recommend you to read Virginia Woolf’s version first to fully appreciate this mind-blowing work of fiction, written almost 100 years ago yet feeling absolutely cutting-edge. A truly elevating read!

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About the author

Virginia Woolf

Born in London as Adeline Virginia Stephen, Virginia Woolf (1882–1941) was a distinguished novelist, essayist, and critic; cofounder of the Hogarth Press with her husband, Leonard Woolf; and a...

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