Page to Stage: The Soldier's Tale

Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale, is based on a Russian folk tale that tells the story of a world-weary soldier who trades his violin to the devil for unlimited wealth. It was written for a small group of three actors, a septet of musicians and a dancer in the non-speaking role of the princess.

This production for the Queensland Performing Arts Centre was directed by Sue Rider and designed by Bill Haycock. It featured David Clendinning as narrator, Robert Canning as the soldier, Georgia Shepherd as the princess and Jennifer Flowers as the devil.

Designer Bill Haycock describes "All the Devil's incarnations - merchant, violinist, old woman and full blown operatic Mephistopheles - were designed in a range of fleshy reds from bloodstained orange leathers to dried blood maroon to lush jewelled fresh blood velvets."