An Introduction.
In 1868 a bloke with a beard wrote a novel which , over two years, was serialized in a russian literary magazine. At the time the novel was widely regarded to be a mediocre mess-pot of poor structure, scrambled character and volatile tone. Today, some 150 years later, and the book is considered to be one of the most incredible literary achievements of the age. One of those transendent books that can touch the core, Alan Bennett said a cool thing once about how when reading brilliant work it's as if a hand has reached through the pages and touched your own.
Caligula's Alibi, for those who do not know, is the collective/creative name of myself and Will Cowell, along with our trusty band of friends, rogues and certain enemies. We looked at the book-a hefty tome- and saw deep psychological complexity, socio -political satire and timely tragi-comedy. We then asked the government for money to make it happen. They obliged and tommorow we start work on three weeks of research and development for the project, which will result in a work in progress showing and eventually a run at the wonderful Vault Festival in waterloo.
This is the diary of an Idiot. A place for the cast and creatives to share the experience of bringing this monstrous book to life, and possibly slaughtering it in the process.
The Novel follows one Prince Mhsykin as he attempts to traverse Moscow in search of a long awaited fortune, stumbling eventually upon his own existential demise. Mhyskin is one of the great characters of 20th century literature, up there with Dicken's Sydney Carton, and Orwell's Winston Smith. He is pure goodness,untouched humanity, naive innocence and Christ like forgiveness. An Epileptic in a bygone world is nothing but an Idiot, even more so In a capitalist world where women are commodities and social status is king. Mhyskin and his 'Illness' face a world he has never before encountered and thus begins a search for love, meaning and existential peace.
Many said it could never be staged, some said it could. Other's said we were not clever enough to do it, a few believe we were. The majority didn't care.
So begins some art, or a show....more like a show, a big ,fucking noisy, wild slice of a bearded Russian man's over active frontal lobes- which just so happen to be full of vigor and blasting out truth at the top of their voice.
In the word's of the great man. Beauty can save the world.
12/10/2014
Caligula
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