Salome

Banned by the government upon its controversial original run in 1891, the wickedly funny Salome is Oscar Wilde’s most lyrical and sexually provocative work. Based on the Biblical account of the execution of John the Baptist, and including the iconic imagery of his severed head on a silver platter and the infamous Dance of the Seven Veils, Wilde spins a story of forbidden eroticism embodied by Salome, the spoiled step-daughter to Herod, ruler of Judea. Salome always gets what she wants, and what she wants now is the affection of Jokanaan, a chaste and feared prophet imprisoned by Herod. When Jokanaan refuses Salome’s advances, she turns to her lustful and leering step-father to obtain what she desires.