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Damned by Despair

Obsessed with his own salvation, the hermit Paulo dedicates himself to ten years of prayerful penance. When his faith wavers, the ever-watchful Devil seizes the moment to convince him that he shares the fate of one Enrico, a notorious Neapolitan gangster destined for damnation. Swearing vengeance, Paulo lashes out against God and assembles a band of rival outlaws. And yet, even as their villainous crimes escalate, the possibility of redemption hovers over the two men, perhaps within reach. This fast-paced adventure story embraces bandits and beautiful women between glimpses of heaven and hell. The subversive and at times riotous exploration of faith and the transformative power of love races across the Italian landscape, relishing the unpredictability of fate, an extraordinary array of characters and their very real dilemmas. Damned by Despair, written in 1635 by the great Spanish dramatist Tirso de Molina, is brought to vivid life in Frank McGuinness' new version.

Olivier Theatre, National Details

Buses Icon Bus routes: (Waterloo Road) 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 76, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341, 521, RV1, X68

Night Buses Icon Night buses: (Waterloo Road) 139, 176, 188, 243, 341, N1, N68, N76, N171, N343

Rail Icon Nearest rail: Waterloo

London Underground Icon Tube lines: Waterloo & City, Bakerloo, Northern, Jubilee

London Underground Icon Nearest tube: Waterloo

Directions Icon Directions from Waterloo :

(10mins) Follow signs for exits to the South Bank. This should lead you to an underground pedestrian passage called ‘Sutton Walk’ that emerges at the South Bank. Turn right and walk along the river Thames until you see the National Theatre.

Parking Icon Car park: National Theatre, Upper Ground (1min)

Congestion Zone Icon In congestion zone?: Yes

Facilities at Olivier Theatre, National

Air conditioned

Bar

Disabled toilets

Infrared hearing loop

Toilets

Wheelchair accessible

Olivier Theatre, National Location

South Bank, London, SE1 9PX
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Please note: The location shown on the map is an approximate location of the theatre. In the majority of cases the theatre will be marked on the map so please make sure you locate the exact location yourself. If the theatre is not shown on the map please make sure you locate the correct road name and take account of the directions.

Damned by Despair

Olivier Theatre, National, London

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