Gods and Sinners (2008)
Daphnis and Chloe
CAST
- Adam Player
- Daphnis
- Rachel Cunningham
- Chloe
- David Hidden
- Pan
- Michaela Hodgson
- Calisto
- Maria Hemphill
- Xantippe
- Juel Flemming
- Eriphyle
- Cathy Zhang
- Aricie
- Regina Daniel
- Amalthee
- Eve Klein
- Niobe
- Sophie Goldrick
- Locoe
Gorgeous Galatea
CAST
- Mary-Jean O’Doherty
- Galatea
- Kathryn Turner
- Ganymede
- Julian Brun
- Pygmalion
- Warren Fisher
- Midas
CHORUS
Regina Daniel, Juel Flemming, Sophie Goldrick, Maria Hemphill, Eve Klein, Cathy Zhang
Pictures
Rachel Cunningham and Adam Player as Chloe and Daphnis
David Hidden as Pan
Mary-Jean O’Doherty and Julian Brun as Galatea and Pygmalion
Warren Fisher as Midas
SYNOPSIS
Daphnis & Chloe Offenbach
The God Pan is avoiding some wild young nymphs, the Bacchantes, who are on the prowl for the young shepherd, Daphnis. So he can observe the sweet shepherdess Chloe, Pan pretends to be his own statue, listening while Chloe sings to her pet sheep Robin, about Daphnis.
When Daphnis appears he & Chloe are overwhelmed by their feelings for one another, which they take to be an illness. Pan is only too clear what they are experiencing. Chloe leaves to tend her sheep and a sleeping Daphnis is taught a thing or two by the Bacchantes. Led by Calisto, they attempt to drug Daphnis to make him forget the experience but Pan breaks his cover, frightening everyone off. Pan assumes the drug is an aphrodisiac and when Chloe appears, he begins to give her a practical lesson in the art of love. Taking a swig of the Bacchante’s drug to increase the fun Pan suddenly forgets what he was trying to do, leaving a very annoyed Chloe.
Daphnis reappears and finding Chloe, explains that their mutual illness is really love. He is surprised when Chloe seems to know all about it. The Bacchantes and Pan return. Pan can’t remember why he wanted to keep Daphnis and Chloe apart and suggests that they get married. The characters beg the audience’s indulgence for this sexy little pastorale.
SYNOPSIS
Gorgeous Galatea Von Suppe
Ganymede, assistant to the sculptor Pygmalion, is sleeping in as usual, when art dealer Midas, barges in and demands to see the sculptor’s latest work. Pygmalion has finally crafted his perfect woman in the form of a marble statue which he has called Galatea. No-one but he and Ganymede have seen it. Against her better judgement, Ganymede draws the curtains and allows Midas to take a look. He is astonished at how lifelike the statue is. When Pygmalion arrives back Midas is ejected from the premises by Ganymede.
Pygmalion checks to see that no harm has come to Galatea. He realises that his obsession with her has gotten out of hand. Asking for strength from the Gods he attempts to smash his work but on hearing the beautiful sound of the worshippers of Venus, prays to Venus to bring the statue to life instead.
Galatea is brought to life by the Goddess of Love. After asking who she is, Galatea commences a list of demands regarding her food and lodgings and sends Pygmalion off to do her bidding. Galatea startles Ganymede on her return and decides they should run away together. When Midas returns and sees them talking, he assumes Pygmalion has substituted his gorgeous mistress for the statue all along. He proceeds to woo her himself with jewellery.
Pygmalion’s arrival with food & wine forces Midas to hide behind the statue’s curtains. Everyone drinks merrily until Midas is discovered. In his fury, Pygmalion begs Venus to return his statue to stone. The Goddess obliges and all are left heartbroken, except for Ganymede, who has managed to keep the jewellery.