2015 - Timon of Athens

13 - 28 February
The Dell, Wellington Botanical Gardens

Timon is a generous, wealthy Athenian who lavishes girls on his friends and enjoys hosting magnificent feasts for his fellow citizens. Timon’s generosity makes him the centre of attention – which Timon loves – and his fellow citizens clamour to share in the bounty as they flock to him. But all good things must end and Timon’s generosity soon outstrips his wealth. Forced to borrow money to fund his lifestyle, his creditors soon demand that the debts are repaid. Timon’s belief that friends help when you fall on hard times is shattered when all his so-called friends ignore his pleas for help.

Fortune’s wheel turns. The once proud and popular Timon flees Athens, filled with bitterness by the way he has been treated. His only remaining resources are words that he impotently flings at the walls of a city that wallows in greed. Exiled in the forest, a string of his former acquaintances visit him – each has an agenda, some virtuous, and some not so much.

Luckily, Timon discovers a secret stash of gold, and with this he can turn his curses into action; revenge can be unleashed on the city of rotten morals. Timon finances a military campaign to physically assault the city and buys agents to turn the Athenians’ lust against themselves by spreading disease. The tragedy is complete. All that remains is for the people to reflect on how their sins have come home to roost.

DIRECTOR'S NOTE

The Life of Timon of Athens may be one of Shakespeare’s lesser known and infrequently performed plays yet it is, to my mind, one of his most accessible and contemporarily relevant. In the wake of the global financial crisis, credit crunch and the cult of celebrity, Shakespeare’s play is sometimes eerily prescient.

Timon is a complex character – seemingly blind to the vultures around him, his generosity is both a virtue and a fault. Is he driven by genuine philanthropy or pride? Why is he blind to his so-called friends’ true natures whilst others around him clearly see the wolves within their sheep’s clothing? And why do they not do more to save Timon from his ultimate fate? These are just some of the questions we ask as we watch this play.

I've enjoyed every minute of creating this production. The incredible energy and joy the cast brought to rehearsals, plus the hard work and commitment of the crew made this a great experience to be a part of. I hope you enjoyed this production as much as we were putting it together for you.

Brett Adam