Join Speculative Drama and the Multnomah County Central Library as a fairytale world unfolds all around you with Bitter Herb: A Play in Movement. Based on the Grimm’s Brothers Rapunzel, this immersive production asks the question of what it means to be family and how we learn to let our children go. Placing the audience directly into the action and taking advantage of the unique and stunning architecture of the Multnomah County Central Library, we create a world which envelops and invites you to see this classic folktale in a new light - exploring the story’s darker themes of protection vs possession and punishment vs liberation.

Bitter Herb is a free, all ages production but may not be suitable for children under 10 due to the immersive nature of the production and general themes.

A mix of standing room and improvised seating, Bitter Herb evokes silent movies, classic story books, and stylized mask performance while integrating a contemporary sensibility through modern movement technique and unconventional staging.

Due to the immersive nature of this production, all tickets are standing room and improvised seating. Accommodations are available. Please email speculative.drama@gmail.com for accessibility details and to arrange for accommodation.

Bitter Herb

Venue