“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.
![hjorthmedh-a-life-of-galileo-1](https://photo.johanneshjorth.se/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/hjorthmedh-a-life-of-galileo-1.jpg)
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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.
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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!
![hjorthmedh-a-life-of-galileo-10](https://photo.johanneshjorth.se/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/hjorthmedh-a-life-of-galileo-10.jpg)
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Unfortunately Galileo himself could not attend the morning session. So we met up in the evening for a few more photos.
![hjorthmedh-a-life-of-galileo-35](https://photo.johanneshjorth.se/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/hjorthmedh-a-life-of-galileo-35.jpg)
While I was photographing Adam, this was happening in the background…
![hjorthmedh-a-life-of-galileo-37](https://photo.johanneshjorth.se/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/hjorthmedh-a-life-of-galileo-37.jpg)
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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
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