JOHAN PADAN AND THE DISCOVERY OF THE AMERICAS to Play fortyfivedownstairs, 4-15 Feb

Hoy Polloy Theatre Productions in association with Terra Incognita present Dario Fo's hilarious Johan Padan and the Discovery of the Americas directed by Wayne Pearn and featuring Steve Gome at fortyfivedownstairs from 4 - 15 February 2015.

Johan Padan and the Discovery of the Americas is an epic monologue with a cast of thousands that is packed with action, irreverent humour and frequent reversals of fortune. The play is an imaginative retelling of early encounters between Europeans and the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean, Florida and Mexico.

Inspired by historical figures including Cabeza de Vaca and Guerriero, Johan Padan and the Discovery of the Americas was written by Dario Fo in 1992 as an alternative to the official commemorations of Columbus' voyage of 1492.

A fugitive from the Inquisition, Johan Padan performs fantastical feats of surgery, prophecy and love after travelling with Columbus to the New World.

Director Wayne Pearn explains that Johan Padan's story emphasises what Dario Fo does so brilliantly by bringing together political and comic theatre in such an effortless yet potent manner, "The script is perfectly accompanied by Steve Gome's superb physicality and vivid performance. Fo is the master of subversive theatre and this is one of his best."

Playing Johan Padan is a delight for Steve Gome, "He has such an energetic, passionate and cheeky spirit. For me, it's not so much a question of finding the character as keeping up with him."

Johan Padan and the Discovery of the Americas is a fantastical adventure told by a loveable rogue. In a world where riding your luck might be the death of you, riding a pig could save your life.

Images by Tim Williamson