Seventeenth Century Self Help
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The Anatomy of Melancholy

7th (19:00), 8th (19:45), 9th (14:45 - 19:45) November,
The Studio @ Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Tickets can be booked directly from The REP
Further touring dates in November will be confirmed shortly.

The Anatomy of Melancholy has been described as "the greatest book ever written". Nearly 400 years old, it is a vast, 1500 page attempt to identify the causes, symptoms and cures for all kinds of melancholy. Written by vicar and librarian Robert Burton it contains all the wisdom of its age - arcane, outlandish and hilarious. Yet, amidst all the wild stories and suppositions, much of its advice remains as urgent and profound now as it did then.

Ten years ago a Serbian Festival Director challenged Stan's Cafe to adapt this, his favourite book, for the stage, stating that they were the only company he could imagine pulling it off. So this is our attempt to bring The Anatomy Of Melancholy, perhaps the world's most extraordinary self-help manual, to the stage.





Photo Credit: Graeme Braidwood

Edited, devised and performed by: Gerard Bell, Rochi Rampal, Graeme Rose and Craig Stephens
Design: Harry Trow
Lighting: Nigel Edwards
Costumes: Kay Wilton
Music: Graeme Rose
Direction: James Yarker

Photography: Graeme Braidwood
Graphic Design: Simon Ford
Dramaturgical Assistance: Zelda Hannay
Burton Consultant: Dr. Erin Sullivan - Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham.
General Manager: Charlotte Martin
Advisory Producer: Nick Sweeting
Tour Booking: DEP Arts
Publicity: Mobius

Commissioned by: Warwick Arts Centre

Developed in association with the RSC Studio

And with support from The Wellcome Trust

Thanks to:
Nenad Prokic for inspiring us / kicking it all off.
Alan Rivett for his early enthusiasm & Matt Burman for his subsequent enthusiasm.
Geraldine Collinge and the RSC.
Pete James and Birmingham Central Library.
Tracy Horton and the Centre for the History of Medicine.
Erin Sullivan and the Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham.
David Sefton and Laytons Solicitors.
Nina West, Rachel Gillard, Philip Holyman, Sadie Plant, Jack Trow and Wendy Houstoun.
For their time and brain power: Dr. Matt Read GP, Prof. Bernard, Lee Hassel, Dr. Mary Ann Lund, Prof. Mark Knights, Rev. Wendy Brown, Dr. Sarah Marks, Dr. Richard Bennett, Dr. Roberta Bivins, Dr. Claudia Stein, Dr. Erin Sullivan and David McDonald.

This show is dedicated to Rebecca Jane.


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Script: The Anatomy of Melancholy
(effectively a digest version of the book). £6.99 including postage ( discounted pre-order price)

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Diary Promoter information Shop
  • Mini-Conference
    26 November 2012, Warwick Arts Centre
  • Show
    12 - 15 March 2013, Warwick Arts Centre