The Duchess of Malfi (The Globe Theater 2014)

From the Globe theatre in London, a new production of John Webster's bloody revenge tragedy "The Duchess of Malfi" performed in a perfect recreation of an early Jacobean theatre. Lit entirely by candlelight, the production evokes a murky world of plotting and intrigue, where even the most pure in heart are caught in a web of murder and revenge.

The Duchess of Malfi (originally published as The Tragedy of the Dutchesse of Malfy) is a Jacobean revenge tragedy written by English dramatist John Webster in 1612–1613. It was first performed privately at the Blackfriars Theatre, then later to a larger audience at The Globe, in 1613–1614.

The play is set in the court of Malfi (Amalfi), Italy, from 1504 to 1510. It begins as a love story, when the Duchess marries beneath her class, and ends as a nightmarish tragedy as her two brothers undertake their revenge, destroying themselves in the process.

Published in 1623, the play is loosely based on events that occurred between 1508 and 1513 surrounding Giovanna d'Aragona, Duchess of Amalfi, whose father, Enrico d'Aragona, Marquis of Gerace, was an illegitimate son of Ferdinand I of Naples. As in the play, she secretly married Antonio Beccadelli di Bologna after the death of her first husband Alfonso I Piccolomini, Duke of Amalfi.

Cast & Characters:
Gemma Arterton - The Duchess of Malfi
David Dawson - Ferdinand
James Garnon - The Cardinal
Alex Waldmann - Antonio
Sean Gilder - Daniel de Bosola
Paul Rider - Delio