Damned by Despair

This fast-paced story by the great Spanish dramatist Tirso de Molina takes gloriously unexpected turns as it follows the intertwined fates of two strangers. It is brought to vivid life in a new version by multi award-winning playwright Frank McGuinness.

When the pious hermit Paulo’s faith wavers, the ever-watchful Devil seizes the moment to convince him that he shares the fate of Enrico, a notorious Neapolitan gangster destined for damnation. Swearing vengeance, Paulo lashes out against God and assembles a band of rival outlaws.

As their villainous crimes escalate, the possibility of redemption still hovers over the two men, perhaps within reach. An extraordinary array of characters race across the Italian landscape in a riotous exploration of faith and the transformative power of love.