The mandrake
by Howard Colyer, Niccolò Machiavelli
Category: Fiction

A play about marriage, lust, adultery, corruption and deceit - all aided by the Mandrake Infusion. It is Machiavelli's greatest sex farce, and a landmark of the Italian Renaissance. This adaptation opened at the Jack Studio Theatre in London on 28 May 2013. "I'm not sure what liberties were applied in bringing a hit from the 1520s to the 21st century stage, but Mandrake had a timeless yet timely vibe about it - like a smart Shakespearean production. It was fresh and contemporary brimming with universal and relevant themes and a humour that's stood the test of time." Chris Osburn Tikichris.com. "Howard Colyer's latest twist on a classic is a wonderfully watchable romp that packs a political punch to go with its comic cuts." Gary Naylor Broadwayworld.com