ISABEL
1492 Granada. A fictional portrayal of Queen Isabel ‘La Catolica’. Isabel prepares her public speech for imminent self-coronation.
Synopsis
A throne room becomes a battleground, at war with her thoughts and feelings, her conscience takes over revealing horrific truths and exposing lies about her rise to power. But Isabel is resolute. She shuts them down; her womanhood and her humanity, so that God’s will be done.
Isabel is about the inner workings of the mind of power. A world leader who so precisely sets in motion events that alter history, cultures and religions in the name of god-given righteousness and peace.
ARTISTS STATEMENT
Spain’s brutal royal was Isabel ‘La Catolica’. She conquered the Arabs, tortured the Spanish Jews and financed Columbus on his most famous discovery of the Americas.
Isabel emerged out of research into the history of Flamenco and digging into my own ancestries. Isabel made history and led the Golden Age and she was the catalyst for Flamenco.
Today’s despot leaders polarise, colonise and alienate us from their digital media feeds and computers. What will be birthed as a result?
PREMIERE
2008 Campbelltown Arts Centre, Riverside Theatres Parramatta.
Presenter Annalouise Paul Dance Theatre.
CREDITS
Choreographer, Concept, Direction | Annalouise Paul
Tabla Composition | Bobby Singh
Flamenco Guitar Composition | Robbie Varga
Light Design | Stephen Hawker
Costume & Set Design | Kiri Morcombe
Dramaturgy | Danielle Antaki
Cast | Annalouise Paul, Bobby Singh, Robbie Varga
Producer I Annalouise Paul Dance Theatre
Duration | 40 minutes
Supported by Australia Council for the Arts, Arts NSW
Photography | Shane Rozario Videography | Tristan Baker