By Billy Barrett & Ellice Stevens
ASSISTANT PRODUCER
Breach Theatre
Supported by Arts Council England and commissioned by New Diorama Theatre
★★★★★
“It might be set in 17th-century Italy, but the consistently exciting Breach Theatre’s new show feels uneasily current”
The Financial Times
★★★★
“There is little to match this latest piece from the award-winning Breach Theatre”
The Times
NDT & Underbelly Untapped Award 2018
Fringe First Award 2018
The Stage Award for Acting Excellence 2018
★★★★
“Gripping court drama driven by an implicit feminist rage”
The Guardian
★★★★ The Independent
★★★★ The Scotsman
★★★★ WhatsOnStage
This gripping dramatisation of a 1612 rape trial brought by the gifted painter Artemisia Gentileschi roars down the ages centuries after it shocked Renaissance Rome.
When Agostino Tassi, the pope’s favourite artist, was accused of raping 15-year-old Gentileschi, the ensuing seven-month case was widely publicised. It’s True, It’s True, It’s True interweaves jaw-dropping court transcripts with history, myth, contemporary insight and moments of satire to ask: how much has really changed?
Filled with ire and using modern language, the devised show shines a spotlight on a remarkable woman who went on to triumph through her art.
Project History
It’s True, It’s True, It’s True was awarded the Untapped Award in 2018 by New Diorama Theatre and Underbelly, through which it had a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe to huge critical acclaim and numerous awards, including an esteemed Fringe First. Shortly after, the show transferred to New Diorama Theatre in London. It’s True was invited back to the Fringe as part of the British Council Showcase in 2019, after which it set off on a UK tour to venues including Leeds Playhouse, Live Theatre Newcastle, The Lowry, Cast Doncaster and North Wall Oxford.
It was commissioned by The Space for BBC Arts as part of a season of programming exploring the nude in art across the BBC, premiering on BBC Four in co-production with Artemisia Films in February 2020. It’s True was due to transfer to the Pit Theatre at the Barbican in April 2020, which was curtailed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Creative Team & Cast
Writers Billy Barrett & Ellice Stevens
Director Billy Barrett
Set Designer Luke W. Robson
Costume Designer Kitty Hawkins
Lighting Designer Lucy Adams
Dramaturg Dorothy Allen-Pickard
Producer Ellie Claughton
Assistant Producer Grace Dickson
PR Borowski
Cast including Sophie Steer, Ellice Stevens, Harriet Webb, Kat Bond
Photography The Other Richard
Key Art Guy J Sanders