An Anatomy of Melancholy
The 9pm performance on Fri 28 Oct will be livestreamed. This livestream will be available to watch back until Sun 30 Oct at 9pm. You can buy a ticket up until this point. The live stream is available globally.
Iestyn Davies’s crystalline voice, Netia Jones’s haunting visuals, and John Dowland’s ravishingly bittersweet music come together in an intimate theatrical meditation on the consolations of sorrow.
‘Flow, my tears, fall from your springs…’ wrote the great Tudor composer, the beauty and bitterness of his music finding an echo in the poetic language of Robert Burton’s 17th-century treatise The Anatomy of Melancholy, which in turn inspired director Netia Jones.
This world premiere production deftly weaves together the endlessly tender sadness of Dowland’s music with creative visuals and the writings of Burton, Freud and contemporary experts on human emotion. And with the greatest contemporary lutenist Thomas Dunford on the team, two unrivalled modern interpreters of Dowland’s music are at the glowing heart of this new theatrical creation, which will be performed in the round in the intimate setting of the Pit Theatre.
The running time for this performance is approximately 60 minutes, without an interval
Unfortunately, due to unavoidable circumstances our BSL signer is no longer available for the 29 Oct afternoon performance of Anatomy of Melancholy and we have not succeeded in finding an available replacement at this short notice. We apologise for any inconvenience.
The 9pm performance on Fri 28 Oct will be livestreamed. This livestream will be available to watch back until Sun 30 Oct at 9pm. You can buy a ticket up until this point. The live stream is available globally.
Produced by the Barbican
Please note the start time for all performances have been pushed back an hour from originally advertised, now beginning at 4pm or 9pm.
Programme
Performers
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Booking fees
£4 booking fee per online/phone transaction.
No fee when tickets are booked in person.
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Pit Theatre
Location
The Pit is located on Level -2 within the main Barbican building and can be accessed via the stairs or lifts on Level G, next to the doors to the Lakeside Terrace.
Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Access
The Pit floor (level minus 2) can be reached via the main lifts – please note that only two of the four lifts go to this floor. Access Step-free access from the Pit floor foyer to any front-row seat. All other seats lead off stepped aisles.
Mobility
Spaces for two wheelchair users in the front row (at stage level), with companion seats. Front row seats are also suitable for people with limited mobility.
Assistance dogs
Because space in the auditorium is limited, we recommend that you leave your dog to be cared for by a member of the foyer staff during the performance.
Amplified sound
Amplified sound is provided through a headset for people with impaired hearing. Audio-described performances use a wireless network to relay through a headset a live description of the scenery, costumes, facial expressions and action. Headsets are available. You can obtain one 30 minutes before the performance from the programme desk inside the Pit Theatre entrance.
Large-print exhibition information
To request a large print copy, please call the Theatre on 020 7638 8891 before your visit.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
