A Life of Galileo

“Unhappy the land that has need of heroes.”

Planet: Earth. Time and Place: Italy, 1609.

Galileo looks up at the night sky, using the newly invented telescope. He observes the sun and the planets. He sees with a searingly brilliant eye, his genius and his methods have never been seen before.
But he is in danger; his enemies are everywhere, convincing the Pope that Galileo’s new ideas pose a threat to all that the World stands upon.
Soon he will be forced to defend himself and his theories against all of civilisation: in his battle for truth, Galileo has to choose between his life and his soul.

Brecht’s greatest play is a shattering and beautiful delving into the cosmos, beauty, science and truth, religion and morality, and the responsibility of Genius. Mark Ravenhill’s 2013 translation for the RSC national tour is a hugely intelligent and vibrantly theatrical venture.

(Text from Camdram)

The cast was in the middle of a rehearsal when I arrived, so the first few photos are from that scene.

When Zoé arrived with the costumes it was time to get the cast into their new outfits so we could take some proper promotion photos.

The scenes depicted below may, or may not be part of the play. Most likely they are very-very-very loosely based on the plot and characters. Regardless, it was a lot of fun!

Unfortunately Galileo himself could not attend the morning session. So we met up in the evening for a few more photos.

While I was photographing Adam, this was happening in the background…

Reviews: Varsity (3.5/5), The Tab (3/5)

Cast
Galileo Galilei – Adam Mirsky
Virginia – Isobel Laidler
Andrea – Xelia Mendes-Jones
Mrs Sarti, Cosimo De Medici, Girl – Elinor Lipman
Ludovico – Adam Butler-Rushton
Federonzi, Bursar, Inquisitor – Joe Shalom
Mathematician, Sagredo – Benedict Flett
Little Monk – Inge-Vera Lipsius
Cardinal Barberini/Pope Urban VIII/Philosopher – Nathaniel Hess
Cardinal Bellarmin/Gaffone/Monk – Clemens Ollinger-Guptara

Production Team
Director – Gus Mitchell
Producer – Zephyr Brüggen
Sound Designer – Francesco Anselmetti
Technical Director – Andrew Tan
Costume Designer – Zoe Barnes
Publicity Designer – Alo Roosing
Photographer – Johannes Hjorth
Video Designer – Radu Thomas
Assistant Video Designer – Marina Scott
Set Design – Alo Roosing