An Anatomy of Melancholy

Haunting visuals, bittersweet music and the voice combine in this intimate theatrical meditation on the consolations of sorrow inspired by Robert Burton’s 17th-century study of depression. "Flow, my tears, fall from your springs…" wrote John Dowland, the great Tudor composer, and the beauty and bitterness of his music finds echoes in the poetic language of Robert Burton’s epic work, which in turn inspires the stellar creative team behind this event.Created by ground-breaking director Netia Jones, Anatomy of Melancholy features Iestyn Davies’s crystalline voice, Netia Jones’s atmospheric visuals and John Dowland’s ravishing music. Returning to our stage following its world premiere here in 2022, Emma Doherty takes the reins as director and presents an endlessly tender take on human emotion, performed in the round in The Pit theatre. Running time: approximately 70 minutes without an interval Programme John Dowland selected songs Performers Iestyn Davies countertenor Mónica Pustilnik lute Emma Doherty 2026 revival director