the epic of gilgamesh
‘Two thirds god they made him, and one third man.’
A tale from the same era as Stonehenge, set in
what is now Iraq.
Humanity’s oldest story yet discovered, pre-dating
Homer by over a thousand years - from the Third
Millennium BC, recovered from the Library of King
Assurbanipal in the ruins of Nineveh by
archaeologists in 1839.
An epic and moving story combining rip roaring
adventure and battle with a strange and ultimately
bittersweet, yet incredibly resonant and poignant,
spiritual journey.
Passages of poetry are woven into the tale, as the
original was both a story and a poem cycle.
The Story;
The longer show has most of the story of the Epic, with all the major episodes – beginning with the magnificent Prologue, going onto his people’s request that Gilgamesh be given something to employ his boundless destructive energy…the answer of the Gods in the taming of the Wild Man, Enkidu – the forming of the friendship between him and Gilgamesh, the search for the sacred Cedarwood, the murder of the monster Humbaba in the Forest…the revenge of Enlil, the spurning of Ishtar, Goddess of Love and War, the Bull of Heaven and the end of Enkidu.
It then goes on to the rage of Gilgamesh, his search for immortality, his meeting with the Scorpion Man, his journey through the Twelve Leagues of Darkness, to his meeting with the Ferryman at the river between the worlds, Siduri of the Vine (the Dionysis figure) in the Garden of the Gods, and at last Utnapashtim (the Noah figure), who tells him of the Story of the Flood. Then his trial to win the plant old-men-made-young-again, his final return to the City, and on his way his bitter encounter with the Serpent…finishing with the beautiful Epilogue.
After violence, injustice, resentment, grief and many mistakes, Gilgamesh at last learns what it means to be a good King.
The Players;
Matthew Hammond plays Enkidu the Wild Man, with his passion for weapons and love for Gilgamesh, but always thinking of his belly and the next meal! And always more practical, funny and humane than his friend Gilgamesh.
And in the first half, Gilgamesh the fame seeking, Goddess rejecting hero.
In the second half he also plays Siduri of the Vine, champion of the earthy joys of mankind.
S.V. plays the personification of the Epic itself, - with pre-Biblical fire and brimstone alternating with the stately relentlessness of Fate as meted out by the Babylonian Gods; with stints in the second half as the lordly, unreasonable and ultimately tragic, yet redeemed King Gilgamesh.
Running time;
The shorter version runs from the search for the Cedarwood and the murder of Humbaba in the Forest. They are both suitable for adult audiences, and can also be tailored for those of 8 and over.
Shows can be an hour and a half for the whole Epic down to an action packed 45 minutes, (see above) depending on requirements.
To Hear an extended the full first part of Gilgamesh and see slide show...click here.
For details, availability & bookings e-mail;
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