A one-woman interpretation of Oscar Wilde’s bittersweet fairytale, re-imagined through physical storytelling theatre.

There's much to admire in Trestle's staging of Oscar Wilde's story about the Spanish princess
guardian.co.uk: Lyn Gardner

Adults and young people alike are invited by the Infanta, the Spanish princess, to her 12th birthday party; this is the only day of the year she is allowed to play with children of a lower class.

The Birthday of the Infanta is a short story by Oscar Wilde, which tells of the events arranged to entertain the princess, culminating in a performance by a deformed, ugly boy, and the way in which their meeting affects both their lives forever. The Birthday of the Infanta is about a transitional moment of choice, when the heart could melt or freeze - should the princess run wild in the forest or deny her true emotions to survive at court?

Using Trestle’s unique style and drawing on the passion of flamenco, the performer will take the audience on a compelling journey, through the constraints of social hierarchies to the price paid for love. In an age of supreme superficiality, Trestle Unmasked explores how we can value inner generosity and beauty.

The Birthday of the Infanta unites key members of the creative teams behind Trestle’s last four years of work exploring dynamic cultural influences and the extraordinary bond between performer and audience. In this vibrant production, Trestle will collaborate with Ramón Baeza, director of Increpación Danza, choreographer on Trestle’s production of Lola: The life of Lola Montez, which toured through 2008-9.

Adapted by Carl Miller
Performed by Georgina Roberts
Director: Emily Gray (Trestle Artistic Director)
Choreographer: Ramón Baeza (Increpación Danza)
Composer and Sound Designer: Laurence Kaye
Duration: 70 mins / Age suitability: 9+

With original music.

About Trestle
Trestle collaborates with UK and international artists to create physical storytelling theatre. Trestle Unmasked builds on Trestle’s international reputation for masked theatre by creating visually rich storytelling through exciting collaborations with international companies such as Moon Fool (Poland), Increpacion Danza (Spain) and Little Jasmine (India).

About Increpacion Danza
Increpacion Danza led by Artistic Directors Montse Sánchez and Ramón Baeza was born in 1993 out of research into the world of Spanish and Flamenco dance, and the fusion of traditional techniques with the aesthetic parameters and the choreography of contemporary dance. For more
information about Increpacion Danza visit www.increpacion.com.

The Birthday of The Infanta will tour the UK in Spring 2011 and is suitable for small and mid-scale venues, studio theatres and flexible spaces and for single or multiple performances. To book the production into your venue please contact Jo Salkilld on +44 (0)1727 738404 or at jo@trestle.org.uk.