Bitter Herb: A Play in Movement

Immerse yourself in the story of Rapunzel with Speculative Drama and the Multnomah County Library!

Speculative Drama, known for their immersive theatrical performances joins forces with the Multnomah County Central Library downtown for 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. This performance is 100% FREE. Please consider donating here directly to our cast and crew! 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. Accessibility considerations: Elevator access is available and we recommend all audience members use the elevator to access the third floor lobby. Audience members may be within 6 feet of unmasked performers and fellow audience. Library seating is available but limited and has limited views of the performance, please be prepared to stand or use personal mobility devices for the duration of the show. KN95 masks (or equivalent) are encouraged for the duration of the performance regardless of vaccine status. Performers test twice a week for your safety, please consider wearing a mask for theirs. Masks will be available from our ushers.... Show More