The Rape of Lucrece – Director’s Note
by Patricio Orozco

Our production proposes an intimate and poetic encounter with one of Shakespeare’s least-performed texts, The Rape of Lucrece. This narrative poem, written in 1594, recounts the tragic story of Lucrece, a virtuous Roman noblewoman whose violation by Tarquin, the son of the king, leads to her despair and ultimate death. Her act of self-sacrifice becomes a moral catalyst, sparking outrage and ultimately the fall of the monarchy and the birth of the Roman Republic. Through its rich language and psychological depth, Shakespeare transforms a classical tale of violence and honour into a profound meditation on power, shame, and the human capacity for moral resistance.

In our staging, Elena Pellone’s extraordinary dramatic power gives voice and body to each of the poem’s characters — from Lucrece’s anguish to Tarquin’s torment and the collective conscience of Rome itself. Her performance is embraced by a poetic visual and sound design that heightens the emotional intensity of the text while preserving its lyrical beauty.

The result is a piece that feels both timeless and immediate: a delicate yet fierce theatrical experience in which words, gesture, and silence intertwine to reveal Shakespeare’s enduring insight into the human condition. The audience is invited to step into the world he imagined — one where the boundaries between poetry and theatre dissolve — and to rediscover, once again, the astonishing vitality and relevance of his voice.