★★★★
“Daring and vivid psychodrama”
The Guardian
A collaboration project with The Mancunium Consort. Clare Norburn’s acclaimed play with visceral music explores the extraordinary life of 16th/17th-century composer-prince Carlo Gesualdo (played by John Sackville).
After a childhood of privation with The Jesuits in preparation for a life in the priesthood, the unexpected death of Gesualdo’s brother leads to a sudden change of fate. Overnight, Gesualdo is now expected to produce an heir and is quickly married off to the world-wise Maria d’Avalos. Her cruel treatment of him leads inexorably to Gesualdo committing his infamous murder of Maria and her lover.
Rising star vocal group The Mancunium Consort play Gesualdo’s consort of singers: they control the “playlist”, providing a soundtrack of Gesualdo’s deeply personal and unconventionally expressive music, including his madrigals and monumental Tenebrae Responsories. Their singing triggers memories of his past, as Gesualdo contemplates the tumultuous events that led to the murder. Now facing death and eternal damnation, the only thing that can save him is to face up to what happened that night 23 years before.
The drama is directed by BAFTA-nominated director, Nicholas Renton.
The show originally toured in 2016-2019 with The Marian Consort and actor Gerald Kyd, and is set for a revival with The Mancunium Consort and actor John Sackville in 2025.
Photo by Robert Piwko.
THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS
In collaboration with The Mancunium Consort, the Breaking the Rules 2025 tour is supported by The Marchus Trust, The Foyle Foundation, The Radcliffe Trust, The Ida Carroll Trust and The Fidelio Charitable Trust. The Wales performances are supported by Tŷ Cerdd, Colwinston Charitable Trust, The Gwendoline and Margaret Davies Charity and The Darkley Trust. The Bedford performance is supported by the Gale Family Charity Trust, Baroque at the Edge and The Wixamtree Trust. The Ulverston performance is supported by The David Snowdon Trust. The Ulverston community and school workshops are supported by The David Snowdon Trust and The Sir John Fisher Foundation. The Lewes and Folkestone performances are supported by Angel Early Music. The Manchester school and community workshops are supported by The Victoria Wood Foundation. The Wolverhampton performance is supported by The Grimmitt Trust. The outreach projects are supported by The Aspinwall Educational Trust.
TOUR
- Come & Sing Renaissance Anthems with The Mancunium Consort - CardiffFri 07 NovSt Edward's Church
- Breaking the Rules - CardiffFri 07 NovSt Edward's Church
- Breaking the Rules - LondonSat 08 NovSt Mary Magdalene
- Breaking the Rules - FolkestoneSun 09 NovSt Mary and St Eanswythe's Church
- Breaking the Rules - ConwyThu 13 NovSt Mary's Church
- Breaking the Rules - LiverpoolFri 14 NovUllet Road Church
- Come & Sing Renaissance Anthems with The Mancunium Consort - UlverstonSat 15 NovUlverston Parish Church
- Breaking the Rules - UlverstonSat 15 NovUlverston Parish Church
- Breaking the Rules - BedfordThu 27 NovSt Paul's Church
- Breaking the Rules - WolverhamptonFri 28 NovArena Theatre