“I want to scream. I need an entirely new life because the old one isn’t working, there’s a war going on inside me and I need to gather my forces.”
Daphne is desperate to re-invent herself. Class, looks, money, men. A young woman living in a world governed by toxic masculinity and scrupulous judgement. With no support network, plummeting mental health and growing paranoia, she gradually loses touch with reality.
The Woman Who Turned Into a Tree is the UK writing debut of Swedish writer Lisa Langseth. Fusing original music with live sound and movement, this new play inspired by the Daphne myth is a timely tale about isolation, identity, and destructive obsession with the opinions of others. The UK version was first commissioned and presented in October 2021 as part of New Nordics Festival by Cut the Cord Theatre – a week-long festival of new Nordic plays which works with emerging UK based theatre-makers to explore what Nordic theatre is and how it can enrich UK theatre.
Langseth said: “The Woman Who Turned Into a Tree is about loneliness, and about how change can force its way even to the lives of those who are unable to see how any change could be possible. I am so happy that Daphne’s story is coming to life in London through the caring hands of director Emily Louizou.”
Emily Louizou added: “I’ve always been fascinated by the Ancient Greek myth of Daphne, and Lisa Langseth’s play is a tremendous re-working of the classic story. I am thrilled to be presenting it to London audiences, alongside a great team of very inspiring female creatives. We invite you to this epic tales of self-discovery: a challenging journey towards self-love and self-acceptance.”
Omnibus Theatre, 1 Clapham Common North Side, SW4 0QW from 4 – 22 April. Admission: £16 standard, £13 concession, £10 previews
Box Office: www.omnibus-clapham.org / 0207 498 4699
