Pope Head - The Secret Life of Francis Bacon

Overview

Margaret Thatcher described Francis Bacon – the 20th century artist, not the 16th/17th century philosopher and scientist — as “that man who paints those dreadful pictures.” That’s a rather high-profile dressing down, or a compliment, depending on how you look at it. Of course, there was a person at the other end of such a slamming. Inciting the ire of prime ministers aside, what made him tick?

That’s what Pope Head – The Secret Life of Francis Bacon asks in a darkly comedic drama based on his life and work. Publicly, Bacon was an enigma and a maverick, both loved and hated. Privately, with success came tragedy and trouble. That the famous phrase “Champagne for my real friends. Real pain for my sham friends!” is often attributed to him probably says it all.

Written and performed by English actor Garry Roost (from EastEnders, The Bill, and Black Books), Pope Head jumps into Bacon’s inspiring and intriguing journey, one of creative highs and personal lows. The one-man play was the toast of the UK, and now it’s Brisbane’s turn to charge their glasses and find out why.