Dissatisfied with his simple country life, Tom Rakewell strikes a deal with the devil and abandons his sweetheart to embark on a life of reckless pleasure. But after a visit to Mother Goose’s brothel, marriage to a bearded lady and a game of cards with horrifyingly high stakes, Tom realises the true nature of the bargain he has struck. Can he turn back the clock or is his fate already sealed?

Set in the grimy underbelly of 18th-century London, The Rake’s Progress is a highly theatrical tale of one man’s struggle to save his soul. World-renowned Scottish director David McVicar and Olivier award-winning designer John Macfarlane bring this darkly gothic story to the stage in an exquisitely detailed production that really packs a punch.

Part black comedy, part epitaph to the loss of innocence, The Rake’s Progress is a morality tale with bite, in which the spectre of Death is never far away. Stravinsky’s music owes much of its inspiration to Mozart, but in his own distinct take on the neo-classical style. Beautifully lyrical and tender arias contrast with lively, choreographed chorus scenes, all underpinning a vibrant but ultimately heart-breaking story of the frailty of human nature.
 

NEW PRODUCTION