work.txt | Theatre | Antonia Georgieva

Scarlet Sunday

OMNIBUS THEATRE | PRODUCER

Obsession, dark secrets, and the cult of celebrity. What can you get away with in the name of great art?

On a scorching summer’s day, art curator Yasmin arrives at an old house in the middle of nowhere in the hopes of shedding light on the enigmatic life of the late great artist Ray Blackwood. There she meets Ava, the artist’s daughter, who guards a haunting secret intertwined with the mysterious painting “Scarlet Sunday.”

Scarlet Sunday is a mesmerising two-hander that delves into the struggle to reconcile great works of art with the dark deeds of their creators. Can we truly separate their art from their actions? Do we become complicit in their crimes by consuming their art?

Exploring the eerie connection between the cultification of celebrity and a culture of abuse, Scarlet Sunday offers an evocative and thought-provoking experience that confronts and challenges. In an age where the cult of celebrity’s dark secrets are laid bare, this bold new play delves into the uncomfortable truths behind our obsessions, echoing recent events and reclaiming power for those whose voices are often left out of the narrative.

Imy Wyatt Corner (Duck, Arcola Theatre) directs the UK premiere of James Alston’s timely and scorching debut play, with design by Cat Fuller (Linbury Prize 2021 Winner).