The Beekeeper by Michael Ashton

Blackeyed Theatre's production of The Beekeeper at Waterloo East Theatre was nominated for 3 OFFIES including Best Actor for Eliot Giuralarocca's central performance.

Winner of PULSE, Blackeyed Theatre’s new writing initiative

Cast – Eliot Giuralarocca, Robert Harding, Chris Westgate, Spencer Cummins

December 1944. Monowicze, one of the labour camps at Auschwitz. Amidst the desperation and inhumanity of the Holocaust, an incredible power struggle develops between Kommandant Richard Baer and one of his prisoners, Manachem Stressler, a German Jew who survives by harvesting honey from the camp’s bee hives for his captors.
With Russian tanks advancing to liberate the camp, Baer’s growing despair pushes both men to their limits as they seek redemption and a return to their humanity. Based on real life events, The Beekeeper is the incredible story of two men, the nature of power and the strength of the human spirit.

Produced and Directed by Adrian McDougall
Set Designer - Victoria Spearing
Lighting - Charlotte McClelland
Costume Designer - Hannah Gibbs

Thought-provoking and engrossing...an intriguing power-play with a chilling edge that shines in the hands of this capable cast - British Theatre Guide

★★★★★ An outstanding piece of theatre...Guiralarocca’s outstanding central performance presents a man who is frightened, submissive, anguished but passionate about his bees and their honey…

It’s a role as profound as any classical tragic hero and Guiralarocca is riveting with his expressive eyes and despair-laden voice Susan Elkin - The Stage ★★★★★

This is important and provocative drama which will continue to tug at the memory and undoubtedly have a long life beyond the London fringe - What's On Stage ★★★★

Eliot Giuralarocca puts in a sympathetic, compelling and deeply human performance as Stressler, whose unwavering resoluteness and resilience mirror that of the bees he loves - What's On Stage ★★★★