The legend is best known in the UK through a play of c.1590 by Christopher Marlowe, Doctor Faustus. In it, a scientist makes a pact with the devil that he will give him his soul eternally in exchange for access to untold magical abilities through the demon Mephistopheles. He fritters away these powers on fame, sex, and excess. As death and damnation approach, Faustus recognises the salvation that he has forfeited: “See, see where Christ’s blood streams in the firmament. One drop would save my soul; half a drop.” It is, tragically, too late. Associate Director Credits include: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (National Theatre UK Tour and UK Schools Tour).

Faustus has suffered all her life. Exhausted by her humanity, trapped inside the limits of her morality, and continuously having been tortured by the demons of her past The sheer quality of this version of the famous story deserves to turn it into the definitive version for the 21st century because I, for one, would consider selling my soul for the chance to see it again. Extra Content: 'I wanted to create an epic, ambitious, gothic, baroque fever dream of a piece that took a well-known classic and inverted it to say something truthful about the contemporary female experience.' Chris Bush on her play Faustus: That Damned Woman, in The Guardian, 11 December 2019. Francesca explains. “They’re like women who tried but have been persecuted. So, they’re there, existing on stage, willing the next woman to do it, which is the actress playing Faustus that night. A scene I felt was particularly powerful was the ensemble acting as Joanna's inner consciousness reciting her sins and weaknesses.As a male critic, I'm infinitely aware that there's a danger of this review being turned into an examination of how men treat women who aspire to that greatness or their desire to tell great stories. But a piece of theatre can only be judged on its own terms of whether it engages its audience or not. Despite a highly atmospheric production by Caroline Byrne, and lively performances by a seven-strong cast spiritedly led by Jodie McNee in the title role, I found myself mostly at a distance (and not just because I was seated in row M). Partly its the Faust story itself: it's not meant to be taken literally, of course, but with its time-travelling shifts of pace and place, it's difficult to care what actually happens to her. But there's also something muddled and muted in the storytelling here. As much as I wanted to embrace it, its stridency kept pushing me away. So, I guess it provokes questions of a woman’s place in society, how we treat women, and today as well, not just through history."

The final master stroke which adds beauty, excitement and lyricism to the work is the essential role played by movement which sometimes breaks out into exhilarating dance routines devised by Paul Bayes-Kitcher, artistic director of Fallen Angels Dance Theatre with whom this is a co-production.

As she re-writes her own personal history and that of women generally, it's like a combination of Dr. Who's ability to travel across time and Christopher Marlowe's (whose 1592 version of the story is still one of its most famous). This play is also available as an A4 Edition. With spiral binding, a larger print size and additional space for notes, this format is ideal for directors, stage managers, actors and others to use in rehearsal and production.

However, the production is definitely saved by a vivid stage design and an energetic and talented cast who throw themselves into the story wholeheartedly and deliver an enjoyable and thought-provoking performance.Jodie McNee is magnificent as Johanna, determined that “no man shall stand dominion over me” – not even the devil. She reduces Satan’s right-hand man, Mephistopheles, to little more than her assistant as she goes on her physical and personal journey to understand women’s potential. Danny Lee Wynter is amusingly foppish as her diabolical companion, part of a strong ensemble cast playing multiple parts. Faustus: That Damned Woman was co-produced by Headlong and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, in association with the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, and first performed at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre in January 2020 before touring the UK. Be careful what you wish for is the tag line of this astonishing reimagining of the classic tale about someone who sells their soul to the devil.