For this show, a cast of six (along with director Hilary Coleman) devised a dark Celtic story of romance, love and passion, woven together with the story of mad Tom o’ Bedlam and his ragtag friends.

            For to see Mad Tom of Bedlam

            Ten thousand miles I’d travel

            Mad Maudlin goes on dirty toes

            Just to save her shoes from gravel

 

            Still I sing bonny boys

            Bonny bad boys

            Bedlam boys are bonny

            For they all go bare and they live by the air

            And they want no drink nor money

 

            With a host of furious fancies

            Whereof I am commander

            With a burning spear and a horse of air

            Through the wilderness I wander

 

            Still I sing bonny boys

            Bonny bad boys

            Bedlam boys are bonny

            For they all go bare and they live by  the air

            And they want no drink nor money

 

            In Bedlam’s version of the story, Trystan was the nephew of King Marc of Cornwall. Trystan sailed to Ireland to seek the hand of the beautiful Yseult for his uncle: whilst there, Trystan killed the Irish giant, Morholt, and then a fiery dragon which had been terrorising the land for many years. Trystan was seriously injured during this battle, and his wounds were tended by Yseult, and her handmaid, Brangane.

            When Trystan had recovered, he explained his mission to Yseult, who agreed to marry King Marc as a favour to Trystan for ridding her land of the dragon. On the boat from Ireland to Cornwall, Trystan and Yseult fell in love. Yseult tried to stay faithful to her husband, but temptation proved too strong. When King Marc’s magical adviser, Morrigan, tried to open the King’s eyes to the deception of his wife and nephew, the stage was set for tragedy…

 

Phone: 01872 272695

E-mail: bedlamtc@bedlamtc.co.uk

 

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