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The Doctor of Honour

The Doctor of Honour

Written by Pedro Calderón de la Barca
Performed in English
1989

Don Gutierre is engaged to marry Dona Leonor, yet decides to marry Dona Mencia instead. Dona Mencia loves Don Henry, and he loves her back. However, she obeys her father’s wishes and marries Don Gutierre.

When the prince returns from military duty, he pursues the married Mencia but she rejects his advances. However, the jealous Gutierre becomes suspicious; he suspects his wife’s fidelity and decides to test her…

Calderon’s tale of disguise, revenge and suspicion culminates in a shocking climax in Gutierre’s vow to become ‘the doctor of his honour’ and plots to exact revenge on his innocent wife for a crime she did not commit…

Translated into English by Roy Campbell. Produced by Cheek by Jowl. The first performance of The Doctor of Honour was at the Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham on 22nd February 1989.

“It benefits all the way from the sheer theatricality of a Cheek by Jowl treatment”

The Scotsman
Cast and creative team

Cast

NameCharacter
William HopeDon Pedro
Neil PearsonDon Henry
Nigel TerryDon Gutierre
Killian McKennaDon Arias / Ludovico
Ben OnwukweDon Diego
Michelle FairleyDona Mencia
Claire BenedictDona Leonar
Mark WilliamsCoquin
Sue DevaneyJacinta

Creative Team

RoleName
DirectorLindsay Posner
DesignerJulian McGowan
Music DirectorStephen Warbeck
Lighting DesignerRick Fisher
Movement ConsultantGeraldine Stephenson
Previous performances

Previous Performances

DateLocation
24 April–15 May 1989London, Donmar Warehouse, UK
14–15 April 1989Wallingford, Corn Exchange, UK
12–13 April 1989Kidderminster, The Rose, UK
10–11 April 1989Leighton Buzzard, Vandyke Upper School, UK
6–8 April 1989Crawley, The Hawth Studio, UK
3 April–4 March 1989Shrewsbury, Music Hall, UK
28–30 March 1989Epsom, Playhouse Theatre, UK
23–24 March 1989Hounslow, Centerspace, UK
20–21 March 1989King’s Lynn, Fermoy Castle, UK
17–18 March 1989Basingstoke, Central Studio, UK
13–15 March 1989Hemel Hempstead, Old Town Hall, UK
10–11 March 1989Oundle, Stahl Theatre, UK
7–9 March 1989Stratford–upon–Avon, Swan Theatre, UK
3–5 March 1989Fareham, Drama Centre, UK
1–2 March 1989Chipping Norton, The Theatre, UK
27–28 February 1989Wolverhampton, Arena Theatre, UK
24–25 February 1989Builth Wells, Wyeside Arts Centre, UK
22–23 February 1989Birmingham, Midlands Arts Centre, UK
Reviews

Reviews

“It benefits all the way from the sheer theatricality of a Cheek by Jowl treatment.”

The Scotsman

“How much we owe Cheek by Jowl for presenting this British professional premiere…  Accurately conveys Calderon’s rich metrical variety.”

Michael Coveney, The Financial Times

“I have just seen a masterpiece in Hemel Hempstead: Calderon’s The Doctor of Honour…A fine, lucid production.”

Michael Billington, The Guardian
Production photo
Photograph: Alistair Muir
Production photo
Photograph: Alistair Muir

“A masterpiece… A fine, lucid production”

The Guardian

An honourable murderer, if you will;
For nought I did in hate, but all in honour.

Othello

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