A French folk tale from the end of the 17th century is coming to Westside in a world premiere stage adaptation that will trigger comparisons with recent high-profile UK murders.
Blue Beard is coming to the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in Centenary Square from Tuesday 9 April to Saturday 20 April.
And while the new adaptation is about a magician and the various women he encounters who go missing, writer and director Emma Rice points to tragic comparisons with modern day events.
Emma, artistic director of theatre company Wise Children, said the Blue Beard story took on a new meaning following the murder of Sarah Everard by off-duty Metropolitan police officer Wayne Couzens in March 2021.
She says: “I’ve actually never liked the story of Blue Beard. I love fairy tales, but this is one I’ve always avoided. I thought it was just about controlling women, telling them off for asking questions and being curious. But something changed a couple of years ago, and the story started to nag at me.
“I have become more and more haunted by the regular chime of women being attacked, murdered and abused. Sarah Everard’s shocking murder and the ensuing chaos of her vigil captured the public’s imagination.
“However, for me, it was the murder of Zara Aleena [in 2022] that really brought home my anger and made me think about adapting Blue Beard. She was just walking home. A week later her family, friends, and people she would never know, met at the spot where she was killed and walked her memory home.
“This was the moment that I knew I wanted to walk Blue Beard’s victims’ home. I wanted to use my craft, my platform, and my experience to make a small difference.”
Blue Beard is a co-production with Birmingham Rep, HOME Manchester, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, and York Theatre Royal.
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.
Alongside the performances, The Rep has teamed up with The School for Wise Children to offer two free theatre workshops:
On Friday 12 April, the theatre will be inviting up to nine emerging production professionals to peek behind the curtain and have a taste of what it’s like backstage during a Backstage Taster Workshop.
And on Friday 19 April, The School for Wise Children offers theatre-makers aged 18+ the chance to take part in a free, day-long workshop run by Blue Beard Assistant Director Tom Fox and Musical Director Stephanie Hockley.
For more information, visit www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
