Product Description

This title is re-issued alongside its return to Shakespeare's Globe in May 2007: Howard Brenton's take on the Abelard and Heloise story. A new spirit of philosophical and religious enquiry is growing in 12th-century France. In its vanguard is the brilliant Peter Abelard, a man of great learning, independence of mind, and sensuality. He starts a war of ideas with the powerful Abbot and Pope-maker, Bernard of Clairvaux, the arch-priest of medieval mysticism and austerity. But when Abelard begins a wild affair with his equally brilliant but disastrously connected student Heloise, his enemies find just the pretext they need to destroy him. Mainly known for populist Shakespeare in its Elizabethan open-air theatre, the Globe forged into virgin territory in 2006 with this 'first': a new play by a well-known living writer. Its success was such that it is being revived in Spring.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #369970 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

Review
"'A passionate, bracing play of ideas that has topical urgency as well as historical fascination' Financial Times 'Romeo and Juliet with more brains... Highly recommended' Daily Telegraph"

About the Author
Howard Brenton had written for the Royal Court, the RSC, and the National before Romans in Britain (1980) was famously prosecuted by moral crusader, Mary Whitehouse. Pravda (1985 National), co-written with David Hare, was a brilliant satire on press tycoonery. He became a lead writer on TV's Spooks, before a triumphant return to the stage with Paul at the National last autumn.

Customer Reviews

Medieval history with a contemporary resonance
I managed to see the Globe production (£5) to enjoy one of my best theatrical experiences - it's been a while since I read the play both/after seeing it, but it is about the relationship between Peter Abelard, whose rational thought anticipates the Enlightenment, and Heloise set against the battle between reason & faith. Opposed to the 'dangerous' Abelard, full of manly vigour, is the mystic, ascetic Bernard of Clairvaux - a man who licks leperous feet! For such a passionate play, dealing with romance & anarchy, there are many touches of genuine humour too.

I'm not sure I've done justice to a marvellous play which may be set against the backdrop of the Middle Ages but has much to tell us about our own uncertain times.