15 Heroines: 15 Monologues Adapted from Ovid: The War / The Desert / The Labyrinth

In 2020, Jermyn Street Theatre commissioned 15 Heroines, a play by 15 female and non-binary British playwrights, to dramatize the lives of historical women inspired by Ovid's The Heroines. The play consists of three parts: The War, The Desert, and The Labyrinth, each focusing on a different group of women. The writers of the monologues are Lettie Precious, Sabrina Mahfouz, Charlotte Jones, Abi Zakarian, and Hannah Khalil.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 06 November 2020
Publisher: Nick Hern Books

Two thousand years ago, the Roman poet Ovid brought to life a collection of remarkable women through a series of fictional letters known as "The Heroines." These women, who were often overlooked in the tales of classical mythology, included queens, sorcerers, pioneers, poets, and politicians. They were the ones left behind after the mighty heroes of yesteryear, such as Theseus, Hercules, Ulysses, Jason, Achilles, and others.

Today, inspired by Ovid's work, fifteen leading female and non-binary British playwrights have reimagined the lives of these fifteen heroines in a series of new monologues tailored for the twenty-first century. Commissioned by Jermyn Street Theatre in London, "15 Heroines" was first performed in November 2020, both online and in three parts. This edition of all fifteen monologues is introduced by directors Adjoa Andoh, Tom Littler, and Cat Robey, along with writer, broadcaster, and classicist Natalie Haynes.

The War delves into the untold stories of the Trojan War, featuring the voices of Oenone, Hermione, Laodamia, Briseis, and Penelope, written by Lettie Precious, Sabrina Mahfouz, Charlotte Jones, Abi Zakarian, and Hannah Khalil.

The Desert explores the journeys of women who carved their paths: Deianaria, Canace, Hypermestra, Dido, and Sappho, penned by April De Angelis, Isley Lynn, Chinonyerem Odimba, Stella Duffy, and Lorna French.

The Labyrinth takes us into the world of the women who encountered Jason and Theseus: Ariadne, Phaedra, Phyllis, Hypsipyle, and Medea, written by Bryony Lavery, Timberlake Wertenbaker, Samantha Ellis, Natalie Haynes, and Juliet Gilkes Romero.

Through these captivating monologues, these playwrights bring to life the stories of these remarkable women, offering a fresh perspective on their triumphs, struggles, and enduring legacies. "15 Heroines" serves as a testament to the power and resilience of women in history, reminding us of the importance of celebrating and honoring their contributions to society.

Weight: 202g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781848429864