Naples, 1606. Inside an unfinished church, a painting is emerging from the darkness. The Seven Acts of Mercy is Caravaggio’s masterpiece - and his first painting since he killed a man and fled Rome. As the artist works, he is fuelled by anger, self-loathing and his driving need to create a work that speaks of compassion in a violent world. 

Bootle, the present day. A retired dock worker teaches his grandson, as around them a community is disintegrating under the pressure of years of economic and political degradation. With all he has left, a book of great works of art, he tries to open the boy’s eyes to the tragedy and beauty of the life he faces. And the boy reciprocates in the only way he knows.

Playing out across a gap of 400 years, Anders Lustgarten’s visceral new play confronts the dangerous necessity of compassion, in a world where it is in short supply. Directed by RSC Deputy Artistic Director Erica Whyman for the Swan Theatre in 2016.

Cast

Joe Allen - Jimmy
James Corrigan - Vincenzo
Tom Georgeson - Leon
TJ Jones - Mickey
Edmund Kingsley - Marchese
Patrick Knowles - Razor
Leon Lopez - Prime
Paul McEwan - Damian
Patrick O'Kane - Caravaggio
Nicky Priest - Danny
Gyuri Sarossy - Lee
Anthony Renshaw - Voice of Hench
Sally Banks - Sandra
Lena Kaur - Donna
Allison McKenzie - Lavinia
Paislie Reid - Jennifer
Eloise Secker - Emily

Creatives

Director: Erica Whyman
Designer: Tom Piper
Lighting: Charles Balfour
Music: Isobel Waller-Bridge
Sound: Martin Slavin
Movement: Michael Ashcroft
Fights: Paul Benzing
Video: Nina Dunn