Performed at the John Waldron Arts Center Auditorium, October 2006
Directed by Rance Fawbush

I was capitvated by this play at the Stratford, Ontario, Shakepeare Festival in 1969 (with Hume Cronyn in the title role) and decided the only way ever to see it again was to direct it myself. A little research made the play even more fascinating to me. Frederick William Rolfe was an actual person who, under the pseudonym Baron Corvo, wrote a novel called Hadrian the Seventh. Peter Luke has successfully combined the real Rolfe with his novel in this intriguing and powerful piece. Luke even uses the lead character from the novel, George Arthur Rose, as a kindred soul whom Rolfe rescues from the same seminary that once expelled the future Hadrian. Although the play is hard to classify, I think of it as a dark comedy. There are many moments of humor, a fair amount of drama, and both the daydream and the play end on dramatic moments that are far from happy.

I would like to thank the excellent cast and crew for bringing my dreams to reality. I thank the audience for coming and hope you enjoy the play as much as I have enjoyed bringing it to you.

--Rance Fawbush

Special Thanks To:
The BAAC Staff at the Waldron
Sharon and Nancy, for amazing production on short notice
Alexandra Morphet & BIAS Custom Clothing & Costume Design
Bloomington Playwrights' Project