DORCHESTER Drama will bring to life a man who sells his soul to Satan in a brand new production of Dr Faustus, taking to the stage at the Corn Exchange this November.
Faustus is a man who has mastered every subject he ever studied. He knows the law inside out, has an understanding of medicine that could save whole cities from disease, and could debate on a level with Aristotle.
Yet still, Faustus wants more. One day he summons the demon Mephistophilis, who vows to do as Faustus demands as soon as he is released from Lucifer. Overcome with boredom, Faustus agrees to take Mephistophilis as his personal servant for 24 years, after which the doctor will belong to Lucifer and serve an eternity in hell.
With his newfound powers, what will Faustus achieve? Will he strive for wonderful things or fritter away all that possibility on foolishness?
The production is based on The Tragic History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus, written by Christopher Marlowe in 1590. The play is inspired by the German legend of the actual Johann Georg Faust, a learned and successful man who became dissatisfied with his life and was said to have sold his soul to the devil in exchange for unlimited knowledge and pleasure.
Such was the content of Marlowe's story that legends developed around the play itself, with actual devils reported on stage and some audience members being driven mad by the fearful sights.
Dorchester Drama is an amateur theatre group that puts on three productions a year, as well as organising play readings and workshops. Actors, directors, technical specialists and stage hands are always needed and anyone wishing to get involved is invited to visit their website or contact dorchesterdrama@gmail.com.
Dr Faustus will be performed at the Corn Exchange in Dorchester on Thursday, November 14, Friday, November 15 and Saturday, November 16. All showings begin at 7.30pm and there is additional matinee on Saturday, beginning at 2.30pm.
Sam Kelly will play Dr Faustus, with Cassandra Grindley starring as Mephistophilis.
Tickets are £10 per person, available from www.dorchesterdrama.org.uk or the TIC at Dorchester Library.
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