In his isolated tower on an island in the river, Martuni is besieged by suitors on his dating app, trying to lure him into the outside world.
Reaper dreams he is a foetus with two heads, yet longs to be a dog at the foot of Martuni’s bed; Shepherd invites himself round for chicken sandwiches and trifle, and wants to know whether interest rates will go up, down or remain roughly about the same; Page wants to rescue Martuni in a hot air balloon and save him from the surrounding war, drought and environmental collapse.
Martuni responds by weaving his tapestry and pleasuring himself, until one day he falls in love and his world begins to change.
The Gentleman of Shalott is a queer adaptation of Tennyson’s poem ‘The Lady of Shalott’ influenced by the Theatre of the Absurd. It explores themes of isolation, social media-induced anxiety, neurodiversity, and our unwillingness to confront the climate crisis.
Through the character of Martuni, we are challenged to question who we might pretend to be and what lives we might invent for ourselves if we were prevented from meeting anyone in the real world.
Latecomers may not be admitted. Please arrive in good time for the start time of 19:45.
Under 18s are not permitted into the theatre for this performance.
No re-admittance once the performance has commenced. Refunds and exchanges are not available.
