A Hilton College production - The play begins in Spain, where our main character Pizarro, is recruiting men for an expedition to Peru. He is accompanied by his second-in-command, a Catholic priest determined to spread the shining light of Christianity. At the beginning of the voyage Pizarro is obsessed with chivalry, glory and honour, but becomes increasingly disillusioned throughout, as a crisis of faith also unravels.
The Spanish expedition, hungry for gold, invades Peru. Heartlessly they massacre 3,000 Incas and take captive, Atahualpa the king of Incas and son of the Sun god. Instead of killing him, Pizarro makes a deal with Atahualpa that if he fills an entire room with objects made from gold in two months, he will be set free. The story unfolds with the narration of Old Martin and ends in tragedy fuelled by obsessive faith and greed.
The expedition is predominantly in the name of gold, religion and belief; all Incas being heathens who must be brought before God. The play critically studies these two themes throughout the discovery of Atahualpa - the Inca Sun God - and massacre of the Incas themselves.
The Royal Hunt Of The Sun
By Peter Shaffer
Presented by arrangement with DALRO
HILTON COLLEGE THEATRE
DATES: Tuesday 24, Wednesday 25 & Thursday 26 March
TIME: 19h00
DURATION: 2 ½ hours including interval
TICKETS: R80 per person
All public bookings online via the website (Click here please).
Performed entirely by Hilton College Boys.
Directed by Cal Bray and assisted by Joslyn Cox.
Musical direction by Hendrik Nolte.
Artistic Design by Angela Salamon.
Lighting Design by the award winning Christina Le Roux.
News supplied by Hilton College.