IN THE BELLY OF
THE BEAST
COME WITH US INTO THE BELLY OF THE BEAST!
Our new show combines the intimacy and heart-stopping beauty of cantatas by Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre with bold theatrical storytelling, to retell three myths about how we survive the unfairness of the world.
A sequel to our 2023 show ‘Out of Her Mouth’.
Three men make deals with God that don’t turn out well. Together, their stories, and the healing power of music, help us make sense of a world governed by arbitrary, unreasonable power.
Adam, Jonah & Jephthah
from “Cantates françaises sur des sujets tirés de l’Écriture”by Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre (1665-1729)
Words by Toria Banks (after Antoine Houdar de la Motte)
Directed by Jennifer Fletcher
Designed by Ben Moon & Ingrid Hu
With Carolyn Sampson, Mariana Rodrigues and Dunedin Consort
A co-production from Hera, Mahogany Opera and Dunedin Consort
Audio description introductions are available for the show, and for each of the three stories within it.
These are available, read by the performers, in the four tracks in this SoundCloud playlist. You can stream them, or download them to listen to offline. If you would like to listen to them at the theatre venue you will need to bring a smartphone (or other device) as unfortunately we do not have headsets available. We will have some headphones, including bluetooth headphones, available to borrow for use with your device.
The same text is also available here as a Word Document.
The show is also captioned for d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing audience members. Please email info@wearehera.uk with any questions about access.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION INTRODUCTION
‘JONAH AND THE SCALE’ READ MORE ABOUT OUR BIG LITTLE SHOW
Read more from Toria in ‘The Scotsman’ about the enduring appeal of the stories in ‘The Belly of the Beast’, and the power of Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre’s epic, miniature telling of them.
TOUR DATES ON SALE NOW
The performance is approximately 1 hour (no interval).
The show is performed in English, with English captions.
For ticket prices and to book, click on a venue.
19 June 2026, 7.30pm
(part of Aldeburgh Festival)
27 June 2026,4.30/7.30pm
(part of Spitalfields Festival)
2 July 2026, 7.30pm
