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Birmingham Rep in Centenary Square, Birmingham
Blue Beard production shots. Tristan Sturrock and Katy Owen are stood facing each other. The background is blue and smoky. It looks like Katy has just punched Tristan and they are both leaning back from the power of the punch. Both have blue beards. 5 stars. “Fearless, furious and brilliant.” The Stage Blue Beard production shots. Robyn Sinclair is in the centre and she is dressed as a clown, wearing a big white ruff and a party hat. Her make-up is smeared over her face. Stephanie Hockley and Patrycja Kujawska are stood either side of her, and Patrycja is kissing Robyn’s cheek. 4 stars. “Emma Rice’s fairytale hits home with horror and pizzazz”. The Guardian Blue Beard production shots. The ensemble are stood in a line, with Katy Owen stood just in front. Katy is wearing a blue beard and sunglasses and has her hair tied back. The rest of the ensemble are wearing long, plaid dresses and headscarves and their hands are in the air with their fingertips pointed downwards. All of them are wearing sunglasses and a serious expression on their face. Blue Beard production shot. Patrycja Kujawska is playing the violin and singing. She is wearing a headband with mini disco balls on it and she is stood in front of a large disco ball.

Emma Rice's Blue Beard

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Fearless, furious and brilliant.”
★★★★★ The Stage

Blue Beard is a beguiling ancient wonder tale, and now it has the Emma Rice treatment!

Blue Beard the Magician makes hearts flutter and pupils dilate. With a wink, a stroke and a flick – things just seem to vanish. Cards, coins, scarves… and women.

Puff! Gone. Without a trace.

He meets his match when his young bride discovers his dark and murderous secret. She summons all her rage, all her smarts and all her sisters to bring the curtain down on his tyrannous reign.

This celebration of female power – revelling in all kinds of naughtiness, sensuality, rage and joy – is a music-fuelled feminist revenge plot infused with high comedy, tragedy, romance, and just a sprinkle of spine-tingling horror.

Narrated by a chorus of nuns, don’t miss the live score, incredible performers, and breath-taking set design – it’s the ultimate night out with a powerful political punch.

Emma Rice brings her own brand of theatrical wonder to this most beguiling and disturbing of tales. With her signature sleight of hand, Blue Beard explores curiosity and consent, violence and vengeance – all through an intoxicating lens of music, wit and tender truth.

When someone tells you not to look, OPEN THE BLOODY DOOR!

Emma Rice’s fairytale hits home with horror and pizzazz”
★★★★ The Guardian

Part cabaret, part fairytale, part magic show, part true life horror… PLEASE do not miss it.”
★★★★★ Bath Life Magazine

Price

From £15

Presented by

Wise Children, Birmingham Rep, HOME Manchester, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and York Theatre Royal

Written & Directed by

Emma Rice

Age guidance

14+

Please note, no under 5s will be admitted to the auditorium.

Content Advice

This show contains strong language, adult themes, depictions of violence and references to sexual assault towards women. Further information can be found here.

Running Time

2 hours including interval

Access performances

BSL Interpreted: Thu 18 Apr 2.30pm (interpreted by Claire Edwards). You can watch the BSL Flyer below.

Relaxed: Thu 18 Apr 7.30pm

Download a free access pack for Blue Beard

Post Show Talk

A post show talk will take place after the performance on Tue 16 Apr, 7.30pm.

Please note, the post show talk will not be captioned.

Offers

3 for 2: Add 3 shows into your basket and at checkout enjoy 33% off each production for selected productions. T&Cs apply – Find Out More

Teens Go Free: Receive one complimentary young persons ticket (13-19 years) when you book one standard ticket for selected productions, Mon – Thu. Discount will be applied automatically at checkout when you add both tickets to your basket. T&Cs apply – Find Out More

Fees and Charges

Please note there is a transaction fee of £3.50 on all payment types.

Venue

The House

Trailer

Production Photos

1 /
Blue Beard production shots. The ensemble are stood in a line, with Katy Owen stood just in front. Katy is wearing a blue beard and sunglasses and has her hair tied back. The rest of the ensemble are wearing long, plaid dresses and headscarves and their hands are in the air with their fingertips pointed downwards. All of them are wearing sunglasses and a serious expression on their face.

Photos by: Steve Tanner

Blue Beard production shots. Tristan Sturrock and Katy Owen are stood facing each other. The background is blue and smoky. It looks like Katy has just punched Tristan and they are both leaning back from the power of the punch. Both have blue beards.

Photos by: Steve Tanner

Blue Beard production shots. Tristan Sturrock is hugging Robyn Sinclair from behind and she is holding his hands and smiling. He is wearing a blue beard, and she is wearing a white shirt. His expression is menacing but hers is content.

Photos by: Steve Tanner

Blue Beard production shots. Robyn Sinclair is in the centre and she is dressed as a clown, wearing a big white ruff and a party hat. Her make-up is smeared over her face. She is stood in front of a large red door. The silhouettes of two other people are visible either side of her – one is wearing rabbit ears and the other is wearing a headband with two balls at the top.

Photos by: Steve Tanner

Blue Beard production shots. Tristan Sturrock is sat on the floor, leaning against a piano. Lying on the piano is Robyn Sinclair who is leaning over and talking to him. Above them both is a floating umbrella.

Photos by: Steve Tanner

Blue Beard production shots. Mirabelle Gremaud is crouched en pointe at the front of the stage. She is looking directly at the audience in a creepy way. Behind her are the eerie silhouettes of Tristan Sturrock and Robyn Sinclair. They are getting married, with Robyn wearing a white veil and holding a bouquet of flowers.

Photos by: Steve Tanner

Blue Beard production shots. Tristan Sturrock and Robyn Sinclair are dancing together. Robyn is wearing a white veil and a black dress. They look very happy together. Mirabelle Gremaud is in the foreground sitting on the floor. She is wearing pointe shoes and a leotard and she is facing the audience and singing.

Photos by: Steve Tanner

Blue Beard production shots. Mirabelle Gremaud is doing a very impressive backbend. Tristan Sturrock is stood behind her with his arms gesturing towards her as if displaying her.

Photos by: Steve Tanner

Blue Beard production shots. Three of the ensemble are on stage. They are all wearing all-black with large, white glasses. They are all swooping large yellow and red ribbons in circles over their heads.

Photos by: Steve Tanner

Blue Beard production shots. Stephanie Hockley playing the piano stood up with her head thrown back whilst singing. She is wearing a red party dress and black bunny ears. Blurred in the foreground is Mirabelle Gremaud who is playing the electric guitar and singing.

Photos by: Steve Tanner

Blue Beard production shots. Robyn Sinclair is in the centre and she is dressed as a clown, wearing a big white ruff and a party hat. Her make-up is smeared over her face. Stephanie Hockley and Patrycja Kujawska are stood either side of her, and Patrycja is kissing Robyn’s cheek.

Photos by: Steve Tanner

Hear what audiences think

In rehearsals

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Blue Beard in rehearsal. Emma Rice sat next to Katy Owen. They are both laughing. The atmosphere is happy and relaxed.

Photography by Steve Tanner

Blue Beard in rehearsal. Tristan Sturrock is stood behind Robyn and is holding a set of old-fashioned keys in front of her face. She is looking at them with wonder.

Photography by Steve Tanner

Blue Beard in rehearsal. Stephanie Hockley and Patrycja Kujawska are stood next to each other. Stephanie has a shiny blue coned party hat on and is holding an empty glass bottle. She looks shocked but excited. Patrycja is not holding anything and is not wearing a party hat, but she is also looking shocked (but more scared!).

Photography by Steve Tanner

Blue Beard in rehearsal. Mirabelle Gremaud is doing a handstand with her feet bending over her head. Tristan Sturrock is lying on the floor with his face directly below hers. Emma Rice and other members of the creative team are smiling in the background.

Photography by Steve Tanner

Blue Beard in rehearsal. Adam Mirsky is embracing Katy Own. She is holding her hands up in front of herself.

Photography by Steve Tanner

Blue Beard in rehearsal. Mirabelle Gremaud is sat down playing the harp. She looks deep in concentration.

Photography by Steve Tanner

Blue Beard in rehearsal. Patrycja Kujawska is sat in a dark wooden cupboard. She has placed her head in her hand as is looking weary.

Photography by Steve Tanner

Blue Beard in rehearsal. Patrycja Kujawska, Robyn Sinclair, and Tristan Sturrock all have their hands up in the air and are pulling intense facial expressions. Patrycja has an old fashioned pipe in her mouth.

Photography by Steve Tanner

Blue Beard in rehearsal. Stu Barker is leaning on his double bass and smiling.

Photography by Steve Tanner

Blue Beard in rehearsal. Robyn Sinclair and Tristan Sturrock stood next to each other looking like they are about to get married. Robyn is holding a large bouquet of flowers and they are both smiling at each other.

Photography by Steve Tanner

Blue Beard in rehearsal. Stephanie Hockley playing the piano stood up with her head thrown back whilst singing. Behind her is Adam Mirsky who is playing the acoustic guitar and singing.

Photography by Steve Tanner

Blue Beard in rehearsal. Emma Rice is explaining something to Tristan Sturrock who is listening intently. Emma is gesturing with her hands and Tristan is holding an ornate looking sword.

Photography by Steve Tanner

WORKSHOPS

Biographies

Emma Rice headshot

Writer and Director

Emma Rice
Stu Barker Headshot

Sister Susie of the Dulcimer

Stu Barker
Mirabelle Gremaud Headshot

Lost Sister

Mirabelle Gremaud
Stephanie Hockley Headshot

Trouble

Stephanie Hockley
Patrycja Kujawska headshot

Treasure

Patrycja Kujawska
Adam Mirsky Headshot

Lost Brother

Adam Mirsky
Katy Owen Headshot

Mother Superior

Katy Owen
Robyn Sinclair Headshot

Lucky

Robyn Sinclair
Tristan Sturrock Headshot

Blue Beard

Tristan Sturrock

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