A provocative play featuring incest, blood and passion comes to The Carriageworks in November when ‘Tis a Pity She’s a Whore visits Leeds between 20th-22nd November

First published in 1633, ’Tis Pity She’s a Whore is one of the most popular plays by John Ford, considered by many to be the last major dramatist of the English renaissance.

The “whore” of the title is a young woman called Annabella who lives in Parma, Italy, with her brother Giovanni and her father Florio. Her mother is dead and Annabella's sole source of moral guidance is her ‘tutor’ Putana, whose name also (ominously) translates as “whore”.

As a dramatist, Ford faced a difficult challenge. He worked to entertain audiences who had grown up on some of the greatest plays in the English language - from the likes of Marlowe and Shakespeare no less.

According to some critics, since audiences already thought they had seen everything, it was incumbent on Ford to try to show them something they had not seen. This could explain the extreme behaviour we see in the characters in Ford’s plays.

’Tis Pity She’s a Whore tells the tale of an incestuous love between Giovanni and his sister Annabella that ends in disaster and death. The story takes place against a background of lust, vengeance, and greed that serves as a critique of contemporary culture and morality.

Parallels have been drawn between Ford’s controversial play and Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet: both plays feature young lovers, forbidden love, a meddling nurse and friar, and a tragic ending — though Ford’s sibling lovers add an extra twist not found in Shakespeare’s play.

Mooted Theatre Company bring Ford’s play to life at The Carriageworks in a visceral, challenging and brand new production between Thursday 20th November – Saturday 22nd November.

Gemma Bonham, Programming Co-ordinator for The Carriageworks, said:

“John Ford's play is one of the most provocative of English dramas, where forbidden passions and unspeakable crimes collide to terrible effect. Yet it is also full of great comic moments which cushion the suffering and tragedy of the two young central characters. We are excited to be hosting this local company with their passionate re-telling of such a classic and provocative play.”

Tickets are available online by visiting www.carriageworkstheatre.org.uk or by calling the box office on 0113 224 3801.